Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Silicon Investor: What's Next? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: CatLady who wrote (151)	4/17/1999 1:02:00 AM
From: Joana Tides	Respond to of 395

Agreeing with Cat Lady, many interesting points raised on this new thread; so here's my vote.... THOUGHT POLICE = DOUBLEPLUSBAD !!!! Who wants it? Not Me, Born In The U.S.A.!!! Choosing a Nickname Screenname protects the rights of an author to use a nome de plume Anonymous. To See The People's Choice - * TheStreet.com's forums require a full name and position disclosure to post there....lookit the stampede on the treads over there (like, NOT!). I personally would NEVER use my realname to post - putting me, my family and property at risk even on a nice place like Silicon Investor. The Internet gives a First-Time Opportunity for Freewheeling Discussion of investing with people who know your business yet they don't know your face. I mean, are you going to tell your boss, co-workers, the neighbors, and fellow PTA parents that you're trying to retire early as a Gazillionaire from Internet Stock Investments? I think not. But on SI, it's possible to say it; that's why most of us are here! Shame on The Few who seek to abuse others for their own gain! And Shame on The Fools taken in by them who can't just learn from it and go on ahead but instead want to Put A Stop To The Whole Thing by demanding that Someone Responsible (SEC, gov't., or Forum Host) Censor the posts about stocks - mostly written by nice folks trying to share knowledge - because of their own misfortune. All to comfortable about verifying their victim status at the expense of the rest of us if you ask me. I have sympathy for anyone who was conned; hey haven't we all either been there or come close to it? But I don't want to give up my Free Speech Rights to bolster their ego or case! Anyone who doesn't know Caveat Emptor & that Con artists and BS Artists are everywhere and doesn't know to warily guard themselves & their property against scams- they don't even belong in the world of functional adults much less in the vicinity of Wall Street's Legendary Sharks, IMHO. If laws are broken and prosecution for damages justified, then the victim or a group gets a lawyer to put the wheels of justice in motion. There's No Prevention Short Of Outright Censorship or Shutdown Of Stock Forums Ultimately because the volume would make censorship impossible. Is that what Anyone Wants? Punishing the many for the actions of a few is a social trend that hopefully will stop short of Ruining Stock Forums For Good. Killing The Goose That Lays The Golden Egg for the Majority who don't abuse the forums, but use them as a research tool and amusement to get through the stress & monotony of it. And Who Is To Be The Arbiter of What Is Truth? Holding SI or AOL or RagingBull or Whoever Hosts Forums accountable for the veracity of the posts is like trying to hold the Post Office responsible for scam-mail or libelous letters being delivered to a mailbox for the price of a stamp. It's not the SEC's job to protect Stupid People from acting on posts about stocks posted by screennames on a public forum. It's their job to act After-The-Fact, if necessary, yes. The treads are for The General Public to talk about their investments to each other in any way they choose, and if Company Insiders or Representatives are posting then it's only right by law that they state their position and EVEN THEN anyone who is responsibly in charge of their own property would take everything said with a grain of salt. Sorry to say that Anyone who believes the words of a nicknamed stranger on the internet, makes an investment decision because of what that stranger says, and then complains because it didn't turn out to their benefit... well to put it kindly such a person isn't ready to take charge of singlehandedly managing their own money! One can only hope "Stupid Is As Stupid Does" learned the lesson from the Error In Judgement and can salvage something to put into mutual funds chosen with the advice of a professional CFA while schooling themselves on DD practice portfolios til they achieve a modicum of success at a decent gain %. And Better Luck Next Time. The Internet is just another form of faster communication and as such am hoping not to see an erosion of The Bill Of Rights on it because of a few bad apples in the barrel. Have a good weekend, Joana