Beware of Charlatans Bearing Grails - Trading-Lab

Leth · #1 10-26-2007, 03:34 AM

The Holy Grail defined by Webster's Dictionary (1988) is as follows...

-The object of a profound and endless endeavor

Think about it for a moment; what does this definition say to you personally?

Is the Holy Grail of trading just an illusion marketers peddle to the masses? It makes sense. Why? One reason is because its easier to sell than it is to trade. Really, who wants to put forth all the hard work needed to succeed in trading... when its easier to just sell and profit from the easily deceived with little or no risk. If you decide you want to sell a bunch of crap to gullible consumers, there are plenty of places on the net to learn how.

So...if we come to the realization that there are no grails or secrets, as well as accept the fact that no one is going to make us rich but ourselves; then we just cut our learning curve in half and took our first step to becoming a successful trader.

Does this mean that our searching for answers is over? Absolutely not!!! In fact, we must continue to search within our psyche...educate ourselves...learn to think in terms of probabilities...etc.; not just in trading, but in the way we live our life in general.

Our exsistance is nothing but one giant experience in the "ever changing moment of now!" - Ed Seykota. This means we can:

1. Use the past as a tool in order to learn from what has already happened (e.g. backtesting); and
2. Know that the future does not exist, which makes dwelling on it (e.g. predicting) a waste of time.

Summary: Let us work hard and educate ourselves now in order to raise our probabilty of having trading success in the coming, yet non-existant future.

breakout · #2 10-30-2007, 03:49 PM

your words are golden. unfortunately, most beginners in trading have a problem understanding the old saying "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach". This can be easily applied to the trading world as well, as most trading marketers never really place a trade in their life.

daytraderB · #3 11-02-2007, 01:10 PM

everytime I see a newbie trader get all excited about a supposedly new and infallible trading system being touted by an even more infallible stock market guru, I smile. History always repeats itself and there will always be new traders believing trading is an easy road to riches. Sad, but true. good article.

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#1 10-26-2007, 03:34 AM
Leth Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 621	Beware of Charlatans Bearing Grails The Holy Grail defined by Webster's Dictionary (1988) is as follows... -The object of a profound and endless endeavor Think about it for a moment; what does this definition say to you personally? Is the Holy Grail of trading just an illusion marketers peddle to the masses? It makes sense. Why? One reason is because its easier to sell than it is to trade. Really, who wants to put forth all the hard work needed to succeed in trading... when its easier to just sell and profit from the easily deceived with little or no risk. If you decide you want to sell a bunch of crap to gullible consumers, there are plenty of places on the net to learn how. So...if we come to the realization that there are no grails or secrets, as well as accept the fact that no one is going to make us rich but ourselves; then we just cut our learning curve in half and took our first step to becoming a successful trader. Does this mean that our searching for answers is over? Absolutely not!!! In fact, we must continue to search within our psyche...educate ourselves...learn to think in terms of probabilities...etc.; not just in trading, but in the way we live our life in general. Our exsistance is nothing but one giant experience in the "ever changing moment of now!" - Ed Seykota. This means we can: 1. Use the past as a tool in order to learn from what has already happened (e.g. backtesting); and 2. Know that the future does not exist, which makes dwelling on it (e.g. predicting) a waste of time. Summary: Let us work hard and educate ourselves now in order to raise our probabilty of having trading success in the coming, yet non-existant future. Last edited by Leth : 10-26-2007 at 01:41 PM.

#2 10-30-2007, 03:49 PM
breakout Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 63	your words are golden. unfortunately, most beginners in trading have a problem understanding the old saying "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach". This can be easily applied to the trading world as well, as most trading marketers never really place a trade in their life.

#3 11-02-2007, 01:10 PM
daytraderB Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 63	everytime I see a newbie trader get all excited about a supposedly new and infallible trading system being touted by an even more infallible stock market guru, I smile. History always repeats itself and there will always be new traders believing trading is an easy road to riches. Sad, but true. good article.