TA provides tools for analysing price. There can be no more flaws with those than with a wrench or a screw driver. Price movement is practically entirely technical. Exogenous order flow is accomodated and price quickly reverts to its established dynamics. Price dynamics in relation to TA displays an evolving set of responses to different TA tools' stimuli. At any one time at least some of these responses need to be non random ...and they are, because participants believe that they are. This needs to be for the game to work. - ras72
TA just displays price in graphic form. But agree, we glean signals from observing the screen itself. Price is the reflection of the players actions from individual desires, fundamentals also matter depending on your choice of time frame to inject the natural responses of "FIGHT or FLIGHT" We look at the chart to observe support / resistance levels which ping our interest to believe when they are reached, tested or blown through will allow us to make trades based on the odds from our experience in watching tons of others acting out their own intentions. When I watch for a signal I am looking where others will like me and join in............. PS: The key to trading is to NOT outthink yourself. The game is about bringing in a constant flow of new money so Mr Business person can get you to save his butt by accepting THEIR risk. A single, couple tactics is all you need if combined with discipline and ability to do nothing when the charts suck.
Order flow that is not dictated by technical considerations doesn't affect typical price dynamics. This "exogenous" order flow either cancels out or goes in sustaining the trend and so, for all practical intents and purposes, price movement is technical. - ras72
Now you are talking. By the way, did you notice that unprofitable traders always blame "changing market conditions" for their failure?