Maybe so. I, too, would surmise that people looking for trading classes and such are probably on the lower rung of the learning curve. But why would anyone other than floor traders and arb specialists necessarily be classified as either would-be traders or hobbyists? Are those the only distinctions? Also, if most traders can't afford to take off or they don't eat, then how well could they actually be doing, anyway? I don't mean to sound adversarial, it is just that I have always had an aversion to "us" and "them" distinctions, regardless of the side I may be on.
Because they don't derive their living from trading. If they did, what would they be doing there except for at most one afternoon, and certainly not in a trading "class?" Some pro/prop firms have "continuing education" but that is not the same thing. You can't be serious. Every entrepeneur that I know has to work to keep their business going. Traders are no different. An afternoon to go and shoot the breeze or learn about new software or whatever seems interesting, but to go to "trading classes" during business hours? Pfffffffffft. Most traders don't leave their desks for lunch and take a shit in the morning so they can attend to the market at all times, a lesson most of us learn the hard way. There is no us and them. There are traders, there are hobbyists. The IRS is the first to make that distinction. The term "daytrader" was invented by the media in the wild west of the 90's. Before that you didn't work on the floor of an exchage you were not a trader - all traders were "daytraders." At best you were a speculator if you did not work on the floor. Today, with the advent of electronic trading, the distinctions are blurred... To me, if you don't open a position and close a position everyday, you are not a trader that day, even if you are standing in the middle of the SP500 futures pit picking your nose. That is how I define a trader. If you mostly stand there and do nothing except adjust positions once in a while, you are probably a speculator or a position trader at best, and not a trader. Trader is a noun, but trading is a verb - if you get what I mean. nitro
nitro, i am surprised to hear this from you, well maybe not too surprised. everyone trades for different reasons. i trade for freedom, for the ability not to have to go into an office, to be able to do what i want , when i want. there will be another expiration week--infact quite a few, you can trade anyday--events with fellow traders dont happen that often. this does not make me or anyone else less of a trader. your comments in this regard are out of line and inaccurate. what you are describing sounds like obsession/addiction--- in my opinion, one should be well rounded and not overly obsessed with any one thing. your right, if a day trader does not trade, he will not make money--however the flip side is, he will not lose money. so what?? take a break. what you are describing seems to me to be an obsessed technician, not a freedom loving entrepreneur. trader does not equal slave. i choose freedom over slavery anyday. all the best, surfer
who were those chicks with the computers strapped on their breasts in NYC? did you see them? cybersex chicks in the flesh! surf
He's back! I've read a lot of your "comments" (I use that term loosely) in these threads. What brought you back?
You are free to define what a trader means to you anyway you like. The person you described below is not a trader to me. nitro
You raise a few interesting points. The reason for my earlier post was because I have been considering attending one of those trader expos. Not to attend any trading classes, since they would be of no interest to me, but because I wanted to get some first-hand exposure to a few different trading platforms and charting applications with someone there to answer questions for me on the spot. (I have never been to one of these events, so I am assuming that I would be accommodated.) I just didn't care for the idea of being slotted as a hobbyist or would-be trader for that reason. The trader you describe in your post is an interesting character study. Being ambitious and driven is a good thing. However, there is a line to be drawn by each of us. Beyond that point, you are just looking to fill a perceived void. I know this from personal experience. Unfortunately, activity alone seldom fills that void. I would be interested to know what res in the chat room may have to say about this matter.
Going to see new software or to meet people face to face is not to be underestimated. It is worth doing if you can get away one late afternoon. 90% of the classes are for bozos. nitro
What Traders Expo speakers/topics on this list would be worth hearing? Last name will do. Many time-saving thanks. http://www.tradersexpo.com/tradersexpo/lasvegas/spkrschedule.asp?Range=AZ