:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F6997fcf8-ddd7-4803-ad9f-f1c73b7050dc.jpeg) ## Metadata - Author: [[Corrie Evanoff]] - Full Title: 18 Tales of Curious Pursuits and Offbeat Obsessions - Category: #articles - Document Tags: [[Reading]] - Summary: The article explores unusual and eccentric hobbies, such as collecting rare Cheetos and tracking down strangers' graves. It highlights how some people become deeply passionate about their interests, like fantasy birdwatching or hunting for buried treasures. These offbeat obsessions can sometimes lead to unhealthy attachments or intriguing adventures. - URL: https://getpocket.com/collections/fascinating-stories-of-offbeat-obsessions ## Full Document #### Not all hobbies are created equal: Some people spend years chasing mythical beasts, while others track down strangers’ graves or collect rare Cheetos and old beer cans. Dive in for a delightful exploration of some truly eccentric preoccupations. :extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F6997fcf8-ddd7-4803-ad9f-f1c73b7050dc.jpeg) *Image by Westend61/Getty Images* [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F3b88509a-56e7-4c9e-b531-a9b1cd046465.jpeg)](https://www.theringer.com/2017/3/27/16038420/tamagotchi-collectors-bandai-digital-pets-9b946143c747?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F26a22e5e-6d07-4f8a-ae0f-5ed8f520363c.jpeg)](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/07/science/gunpowder-medieval-cannons.html?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) Gunpowder used in cannons helped change the nature of warfare, but it took a while to get the recipe just right. [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F45cb945b-2332-43a8-b88f-ff23925bfab1.jpeg)](https://pitchfork.com/features/article/the-obsessive-world-of-digital-music-collectors/?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F65d03704-8a8e-405c-958f-8269baac2c98.jpeg)](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/09/snapshot-collectors/501614/?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) In gathering old photographs of daily life, family scenes, and illness, hobbyists get an intimate view into past lives. [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2Fac266fbc-c80d-423a-88f6-5494088f0c20.jpeg)](http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/08/the-volunteers-of-findagravecom/379254/?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F772fb32c-7a31-4a8a-bdc5-defb6ba7c719.jpeg)](https://slate.com/technology/2021/03/plane-spotting-pandemic-hobby.html?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F1c98b336-215c-45ad-bdbd-3d3695e8dae9.jpeg)](https://theoutline.com/post/8083/cheeto-ebay-rare-market-harambe?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) Dozens of “rare Cheetos,” shaped like everything from Donald Trump to a squirrel, are up for sale on eBay. But who’s buying? [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F1646cb5a-e46c-49ec-86d7-8aeddc488520.jpeg)](https://gizmodo.com/delete-never-the-digital-hoarders-who-collect-tumblrs-1832900423?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) When it comes to their stuff, people often have a hard time letting go. When the objects of their obsession are rooms full of old clothes or newspapers, it can be unhealthy—even dangerous. But what about a stash that fits on 10 5-inch hard drives? **BONUS READ**: [Everything We’re Reading about NFTs](https://getpocket.com/collections/everything-were-reading-about-nfts) via Pocket Collections [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F5bba2278-f515-4427-ba40-73a223083e10.jpeg)](https://www.npr.org/2020/09/08/910724304/the-great-lego-scam?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F84cb54b4-ce85-46b5-a325-3faeb8d6094b.jpeg)](https://www.sbnation.com/2020/4/30/21238452/hot-wheels-collecting-hobby-history-most-expensive-cars?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2Fb4a8dfaf-0315-45a7-8789-7056a12d8291.png)](https://slate.com/human-interest/2003/08/the-world-s-worst-hobby.html?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F1fa9a162-8388-417d-bd92-215670201dc2.png)](https://getpocket.com/explore/item/the-obsessive-life-and-mysterious-death-of-the-fisherman-who-discovered-the-loch-ness-monster?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) A humble Scotsman saw something strange in the water—and daringly set out to catch it—only to have lecherous out-of-towners steal his fame and upend his quest. [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2Ff903d2a2-3975-4d85-b784-0da4c2dd4069.jpeg)](https://getpocket.com/explore/item/lifelong-quests-lawsuits-feuds-a-super-serious-story-about-cereal?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) The world’s most obsessive breakfast-food fans demonstrate just how far humans will go for the sweet taste of nostalgia. [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2Fd29278b3-063d-4806-a542-2ba0703e884a.png)](https://www.vice.com/en/article/jgqbd8/girl-collects-mosquitoes-she-kills-india-hobby?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F5ef3f901-939a-4708-bb14-27a1b3bfc55f.jpeg)](https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2021/04/22/lost-hiker-satelite-rescue/?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2Fa6dc5c6d-7c45-4dda-822a-734bd7400146.png)](https://deadspin.com/fantasy-birding-is-real-and-its-spectacular-1833374916?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) I became unreasonably passionate about fantasy sports for the very first time in my life. Not fantasy football or baseball or anything like that. I got into fantasy birdwatching. [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2Fc473675f-606e-4cec-a417-11f5c0f12328.jpeg)](https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/victorian-food-trade-cards?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F93c659b6-70d9-4046-a951-eeba4e22c92a.jpeg)](https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/540277/beale-ciphers-buried-treasure?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) A set of 200-year-old ciphers may reveal the location of millions of dollars’ worth of gold, silver, and jewels buried in rural Virginia. For the past century, the quest to break these codes has attracted the military, computer scientists, and conspiracy theorists. All have failed. [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F61a40cec-1e27-4bbf-b089-f63138f84ea2.png)](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180405-why-people-collect-radioactive-objects?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) Most of us try to avoid radiation, but not Andrew Walker, who collects radioactive objects. The surprising part? These items can be found in antiques shops, parking lots, and buildings everywhere. [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F791ce388-881d-41d2-bd64-13f02a27f112.jpeg)](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/07/02/the-obsessive-search-for-the-tasmanian-tiger?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F7c4bb14f-f47b-490c-b1b2-22eecdd016e1.jpeg)](https://getpocket.com/explore/item/they-meet-up-in-motels-across-america-to-trade-old-beer-cans?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2F9bef405c-b474-4ca9-9e93-f69342ee6d70.jpeg)](https://www.popsci.com/?p=377939&utm_source=pocket_collection_story) [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2Fe59777af-dff7-4410-8848-24197a998f77.jpeg)](https://getpocket.com/explore/item/i-found-bigfoot-maybe?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) [:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-collectionapi-prod-images%2Fe48f482a-c1a5-49f8-adea-916f5de70d44.png)](https://www.npr.org/2022/08/07/1112564993/hobby-ideas?utm_source=pocket_collection_story) ###### Discover More Topics