Thank you for that clarification of your trader status. As I am attempting to kick-start a legitimate psychological thread here, could you perhaps share with us why, given your intense interest in, and obvious insights into, the markets, why you do not trade? I think this a crucial question which many who post on ET (especially the Kig-Me newbies determinedly and doggedly losing money, who snarl at my dear friend DBPhoenix when he says the magic word "system") should have asked before they started. Perhaps I shall find occasion to ask some of them why they CONTINUE to trade. Let me attempt to reply to your objection that the OMV method is nonsense, else it would not be disclosed. One cannot disclose a system which can be faded, because it will be. Alan Farley no doubt trawls these mighty posts looking for material for his next book, so that he can disclose more profitable patterns and ruin them. OMV CANNOT BE FADED. It would take a major change in the way the market is structured to invalidate it. Major news announcements would have to be moved to different times, or announced at random. That would never do, as there is a considerable investment on the Street in complex software code on multiple platforms to manipulate the phony responses to the pseudo news events. Plus it's just plain easy money for the Street. Therefore H. Plecostomus has taken no risk in making this disclosure. Also, I think you misunderstand the subtle use of OMV. It is not used as a rule for trade entry, it is a rule for taking no trade at all. The OMV signal says "Go back to sleep" to Mr. Sulong, "Resume porno surfing" to H. Plecostomus, and "Post on ET without fear of not taking any trades you never meant to take in the first place" to Mr. Public. As such it is a valuable indicator. Furthermore, ex post facto, where most of the trades posted on ET are actually made, OMV confirms that your breakout systems did not go to sleep, but are in fact actually working as designed and coded. With regard to the anomalous phenomenon of the microwave and the computer, I trust that you do not have a pacemaker implanted. This seems to be in the same category as the phenomenon at my home in Texas that the lights momentarily brighten and an increase in water pressure causes the toilet tanks to fill higher. Arthur (Art) Deco, M.D.
I pray this isn't too far off topic (whatever this topic IS), but I don't know where else to turn. With the lower volatility experienced by the markets the last few months, I find myself trading less and heckling ETers and surfing porno sites more. And, I'm embarrassed to say, "Little Pete" has developed a bothersome rash. Do you think this could have happened from "wear and tear", or could it be something worse, requiring a painful injection to cure? Would virus protection software have helped? I do use a wireless mouse (maybe I should wash more often?). Thank you for your discretion. Please don't tell my wife. Sincerely, P
I would very much like to know if you have done a genealogical search to determine the origin of your name? The "pisspot" part is very close to the French "pissepot". An interesting question, because if you indeed are of French origin it would cast an entirely different light on your posts. The reference to infrequent washing is very relevant in that context. The topic of this thread is the solicitation of advice on trading from a professional mental health care provider who actually trades. The dearth of serious questions either is due to the possibility that all of ET is mentally healthy (a vanishingly small probability), or that no one on ET actually trades (more likely). I shall offer a choice of solutions to the very real trading dilemma which you pose. The issue of reduced volatility can be overcome by trading in a shorter time frame with larger size (I refer to the position you put on). The increased size, and the need to stay constantly vigilant, will keep you (and little pete) focussed and in the flow. The innumerable currently open threads devoted to Mr. Grob109's estimable method will show you how to capture each and every micro move down to the tick with 100% reliability. I personally find that fretting about the direction of each and every one minute bar is an aid to concentration. Allow me to offer a psychological interpretation of little pete's rash. It is probable that, even with only one eye, he can still see the trading screen. He may be developing a healthy respect for the hazards of the current market and may be exhibiting hysterical eczema in response. I would think that one solution would be to solicit his opinion of the positions you put on by asking him to signal to you. If old one-eye cries, you know to get out. If he stands up proudly in approval, hang in there. With respect to heckling ETers, I heartily approve, even when you are in a trade. They post out of deep seated pyschic needs unrelated to trading, which I had hoped to explore here. They secretly WANT your heckles, or they would not continue to endure the general opprobium here. Finally, you will get no stern disapprovals from me about surfing porno sites while trading. It is important while in a trade to maintain some distance from it so as not to tempted by tape painting into an impetuous exit. I personally watch the chart only out of the corner of my eye (the OTHER eye). Whatever helps you to maintain this dispassionate stance earns my approval. And by the way, please do not be too hard on yourself. What you like is art, it is the other guy's tastes which are pornographic. I trust that this helps. (An aside to lurkers: this is the kind of serious trading question, courageously posed, which I hope to entice thoughtful ET posters to pose.) Arthur (Art) Deco, M.D.
Dearest Doctor Deco You ask why I do not trade, and may I say what a good question that is. I thought about trading a while back. In point of fact it was from making inquiries as to where one might learn about trading that I came upon ET. After a brief perusal, I soon discovered that I could live vicariously through the vicarious adventures of others. Imagine my delight when I found that numerous members had multiple "handles" enabling them to take on any number of personas. Soon, I had registered some seventeen myself! At my height, I posted three different journals all at the same time. With skillful editing I was able to compile sizeable profits, and gained a considerable following in the process. There was no need to actually trade, and place the nest egg Mrs. Public and I had accumulated. I had respect, and soon other members PM'ed me asking for advice. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. Not content to rest on my laurels, I assumed five other identities, and ridiculed and castigated other posters. I would play a game with myself, where I would attempt to run them off with crude remarks and insults. The remaining "characters" I used for posting in Chit Chat. How I enjoyed introducing a controversial topic, and then debating with myself., Need I tell you that this all took a lot of my time. So much in fact, that I had to resign my position as a greeter at the local Wal-Mart. Something that did not please Mrs. Public. But now I primarily occupy myself by just telling other members how stupid they are. I feel qualified in doing so because I actually know how stupid they are. In addition to the journals, I introduced, if you will, any number of bogus trading systems/methods/techniques in various threads. I know that they were bogus because of extensive backtesting proving each to be worthless. Of course all of them were received with enthusiasm by the members. Several even claimed to have crossed over to profitability using them. So as you can see, I really have no need to trade. Nor the time. I hope that my reply will help you in your good work.
One now understands how you have come so close to success in reforming ET. Rather than apply sweet reason, you have chosen to make it a hell in cyberspace so that it must either repent or die. Assuming that you are not now posting as you so eloquently described, it would seem that YOUR good work continues to be done by the current crop of posters. In the context of this thread, you have exemplified yet another psychological aspect of trading: trading as entertainment. If that is what one seeks, it can be had for no risk by haunting this site. Nothing more need be, nor can be, said. A cautionary note: Readers, know your poster! Take heed of what Mr. Public said about his posting, and ignore all posts with any such stylistic hallmarks. (I will give you a hint: it's ALL of them.) Arthur (Art) Deco, M.D.