The Zen of Shorting--Greed
The following exchange has been noted both for the wisdom displayed by the great Chu Mei Ash but also for the ongoing mystery about the end of the exchange, no solution has yet been proposed for it.
Chu Mei Ash as the leading short of his era was often subjected to verbal attacks, this exchange occurred when a new investor Idi Ot attended one of his lessons.
"I have listened to you speak of shorting as if it were an honorable way to approach the market and as if you were something that you aren't. Why don't you admit you and all other shorts are simply greedy fiends seeking to steal the hard earned money of other investors?" said Idi Ot.
"Perhaps you could speak more upon this, small goat dropping. I was just listening to you speak of your latest trade where you spoke proudly of making ten times your investment. I counsel my students to seek a mere 20 to 50% when shorting, not to be too greedy but to be like the man who seeks to make his meal from many bites. Where you sought and took a huge gain on your trade." replied the Master.
"You are like all other shorts a curse on the market seeking to tear down good companies with your greedy shorts." was the hot response.
"Indeed, small goat dropping, I fail to see how I hurt a company when my money is taken from other investors not the company, and further how my seeking a mere 20 to 50% is so greedy when you seek infinity from your investment." Replied Chu Mei.
"You claim to use the wisdom of Buddha when you are in the market, what does the Buddha say of infinity, oh great master short?"
"Wonderful, you have some wisdom after all. For in truth you are of correct. For by seeking infinity in your investments you seek something which cannot be measured or possessed. Since it cannot be measured or possessed by its very nature you are seeking of course nothing. By seeking nothing you have no greed at all. Since you are attempting to gain everything in the universe held by man or gods you are not greedy at all. I see I have underestimated you, large buffalo flop." said Chu Mei.
At this point Idi Ot stood up and said "I would like to stay and further teach you further on the nature of your greed but I must go to my broker to collect my gains from my last investment. You are your greedy companions can rot for all I care."
"Why are you not going toward the market if you are going to see your broker? Most of the brokerages are in that direction." asked one of Chu Mei Ash's students.
"My broker is this way on Edo Street," replied Idi Ot.
"Really," said Chu Mei Ash, "Who is your broker if I may ask?"
"My broker is Drussosan of Tea Room Discount Brokerage." Idi Ot answered.
It is at this point that the great mystery of this exchange occurred. Modern research still cannot pinpoint the reason, all we know is that it is recorded that Chu Mei Ash laughed almost hysterically for many minutes after this. |
