Depends in large part on how thoroughly one has tested his system, or strategy. I don't know who you used to be, but I read your posts, and it seems pretty clear that you've paid some dues. And if one stays around long enough and isn't a complete dunce (and doesn't go broke), he has to pick up at least some of the important elements of trading. If he's also studied and done at least some testing, as you appear to have done, then trading one's system, even if it seems counter-intuitive, becomes much easier.
You forget how many people were short all the way up. And kept re-shorting and re-covering. Which helps to account for the parabolic rise.
Yeah, that wasn't common but it happened more than you would expect back then. What's the word on the guy now? Living off of book proceeds, broke, or still making money from the markets?
Late 90's must be a textbook sample of how people confuse external conditions with skill. But can we blame them? Russia as a country did just the same in 00's.
True. The Gorilla Game traders at The Motley Fool (which is where I was at the time) were a classic example.
Once again you comment on things you know nothing about. It takes little effort to locate The Motley Fool site and look for the Gorilla Game board.