I don't mind the people in a hobby wanting authenticity by their definition, like a video gamer that will only play an Atari 2600 on original hardware, over RF, on a 13" color CRT, with a clunky rotary dial setting the channel. I do mind when they insist on it, to the level that pretty much demands that if you don't do it that way, then get out of the hobby. I think those people have lost sight even more than the people who don't think the things are worth preserving at all because we need to keep looking forward.

>
>To an extent, I sympathize. For me, it's going to very much be on a
>case-by-case basis. The general rule of thumb I have is, if the thing
>is just a thing, and there are plenty other extant examples of the
>thing, go nuts. But if the thing is important for reasons other
>than just being a thing, or there are very few things left, do not use
>the thing; make a repro and use that.

Hence why I do modify consoles, replace incandescent bulbs in a pinball with made to purpose LED fittings, and a few other things. In many cases, there's still enough examples out there I'm not doing permanent damage, and indeed I'm making it more useful for me, myself, and my husband. On the consoles, we have one CRT left in the house, a little 9 incher, everything else is flat panel or projector and we've got things set up to accommodate hooking up to all the options.

>
>... that was really confusing. Maybe examples?
>
>I was in Washington DC a few weeks ago, for Otakon. And because this
>is what you do when you're in DC, I stopped into the various
>Smithsonians. In the Air and Space Museum, they have a genuine
>Lilienthal Glider, something Otto Lilienthal actually built with his
>own two hands and used to fly. That thing? Should not really be flown.
>Ever. It's still maintained in a functional state but it
>probably should not actually ever be used, because it's an actually
>irreplaceable historical artifact that literally cannot be re-created
>because, you know, the esteemed Herr Lilienthal has been dead for a
>very long time.
>
>The thing is important for reasons other than just being a
>thing.

Very much. If it's literally one of a kind, or a very specific historical interest because it was the thing a particular person used, then I'm fine with it sitting and not being put to use.