Ethan, I admire your response to tekboy's survey. It raises some important issues that we'll need to wrestle with, particularly the question of how to avoid influencing others unduly by voicing strongly held opinions which might put them at risk. I had always visualized that our efforts would empower each of us to make our own decisions through shared due diligence, but since we failed in your case, I'm sure we have in others as well, and that's deeply disturbing to consider.
>> And then, when our idols turn out to have feet of clay, we turn on them, just as we did on GM, when what we should really question is our tendency to idolize.
As far as I'm concerned, that's the problem in a nutshell, but given the human condition, is there a solution? There have been no shortage of critics who drop in to tell us g&kers that we have been stupid in adopting Moore's ideas, but the punchline is that they usually suggest we follow some other guru, be it Buffett, Knighty Tin, or themselves based on the success of their personally designed schemes. That's simply an invitation to trade one flawed shepherd for another.
>> we have placed too high an importance on eloquence.
Perhaps so, but how can you avoid doing so in a medium where ideas are expressed through writing? That's akin to saying we shouldn't put a high value on beauty in choosing a mate. Easy to say, but difficult if not impossible advice to follow.
Perhaps the solution for those who can't resist the urge to be led, is to avoid threads like this, and probably analysts and financial journalists as well, and participate in the market through a number of index funds as Mucho Maas has suggested. But then he'd be in danger of becoming a guru, too. I'll keep thinking on it, and will welcome any constructive input.
uf |
