You can learn more about the OP and the birth of some ET master traders (Red_Ink, Szeven) by reading this thread: http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50472&perpage=10&pagenumber=1
There will always be a few (or more than a few) members here that are a tad rude. I apologize for them and wish you well. My hat's off to you for the contribution (wisdom) you have contributed. And i hope you find the clarity you are looking for "somewhere." Peace Birdman
Thanks for sharing your experiences here, mksummny. Yours is a very interesting story indeed. I am not one of the "old school" posters, but I will opine that the market has changed somewhat in recent years -- I'd say that it's become more efficient at the microstructure/very-short-term level. It's also become more fragmented (which is NOT necessarily more efficient, in fact I'd say less so, but not in a way that's easily arbed uness you've got captive order flow from clients -- compared with earlier years, far more of the order flow seems to be internalized and/or sent to wholesalers in payment-for-order-flow deals, which isn't really good for anyone except them, but I digress....) But if your style is a little longer-term and intuitive, it may not make much of a difference to you. All the best to you, whatever you decide.