For the most part, the SI threads provide a pooling of information from the various members that is still somewhat less than the information that the money firms are going to have. While some of the people who post here have more elaborate setups, most everyone here is working of off a PC and the Internet. The combining of individuals provide some ability to gather information more easily, and it is a bit more fun discussing things with others, trying to solve a puzzle that is constantly changing so to speak.
The only way I could see SI Members manipulating stocks are on the thinly traded issues and the BB issues, where price swings are more easily affected. The big money players control the playing field on anything that they want to control.
I think Patrick Slevin made the point about the MFund fellows. If they have to stay well invested over time, they are going to pick their favorite stocks again and again, the market continues to increase, but if you look at the advance/decline numbers, the market doesn't always seem to strong (to me anyway).
I also agree with Henry that manipulation on the positive side is much easier than on the short side. Most people psychologically want to win, shorting is like betting to lose, (and I understand that I bringing emotion into the investing, but I believe most people do. For some, it's like Vegas except you get to hold your money longer). On most of the threads, it seems to me that "longs/bulls" rule and anyone who shows up and persistently asks "negative" questions or posts "negative" comments gets accused of being a short rather quickly, and in some unfortunate situations gets attacked.
Sorry for the rambling, interesting thread idea. thanks
Filbert |
