Where did the "90% are losers myth come from?

Discussion in 'Psychology' started by human151, Apr 21, 2009.


  1. Well, you might as well begin your education right here.
    There is as much difference between "trading" and
    "investing" as between day and night.
    There's so many clueless 'investors' who call themselves
    'traders' because it's a fashionable term, promoted by the
    media, who would run for cover at the thought of a short
    sale or putting capital at risk with maybe 45 sec. to 1.5 min.
    of analyss. As a trader, I don't even need to know what
    business a company is in or even what it's NAME
    is to be in and out with a profit before some "Ameritrader"
    can even tear the quarterly report from it's envelope.
     
    #61     Apr 22, 2009
  2. spindr0

    spindr0

    Instead of all of the alias handles, why not just stick with INTERNET TROLL? Or if you want to sound a little more avant-garde, how about ET TROLL ?
     
    #63     Apr 22, 2009
  3. Human151,

    My first piece of advice is go back to HS and learn at least basic spelling and grammar. Arguably, if you are too lazy to do the easy things well, you have no chance of competing with those who have more discipline, knowledge and skill in something as difficult as the discipline of trading.

    We trade because people like you start trading and donating money because you didn’t do your homework first and thought it might be fun. We prefer not to do anything else and can live with being responsible for our actions. We are competitive and truly believe we can compete and be successful. We are disappointed in how many show up and think trading is something they can just pickup with little effort and without doing the bare minimum of homework. “You” show up every week. And ask the same questions that have been answered every week for the past five years. And as is also typical, when you hear the truth you get defensive about the big, mean community trying to help you in spite of yourself.

    Most businesses fail and don’t make it to even 5 years. But most people, including you, don’t want to hear the truth. They want to believe in the dream. A least a franchise tells you exactly what to do and why. Trading expects you to figure it out. Most do not. So go ahead and dream. When you grow up and think you can make it, by all means take your shot. I hope you make it. But the percentages say you won’t and so far you haven’t shown much that will make most think you will fall in the minority of the successful.

    Feel free to not believe "the myth." You can also believe in the tooth fairy. Neither will help you become a successful trader.

    Do you want the truth or do you just want to hear what you think you want to hear to help you think you can do this? Because the latter is not going to help you at all and will probably cost you some money. Harsh? Maybe. But enter this field with your eyes wide open and try to fathom what you are really up against.

    Best of luck.

    BM
     
    #64     Apr 22, 2009

  4. Awesome post! Very true.

    I regret how incredibly long it took me (and how much it cost) to learn one of the most simple, important things about trading:

    "You don't have to be right, you just have to get on the right side" (of the market - i.e. stop trying to pick exact tops/bottoms and go with the flow = smaller losers + bigger winners + less risk)
     
    #65     Apr 22, 2009
  5. That 90% lose is a myth.
    Don't believe it.

    99.9% lose is the exact fact!
     
    #66     Apr 22, 2009
  6. human151

    human151

    wow you're a nice guy. Learn basic spelling and grammar?

    When did I say I wanted to "just pickup with little effort and without doing the bare minimum of homework"? You must have me confused with someone else. I'll bet you have been saving up your little rant for quite a while waiting to unleash it on some unsuspecting noob...does your tirade make you feel more important, uh? Trying to compensate? Its okay I understand. If this makes you feel important and "bigger" then by all means tell me more.
     
    #67     Apr 22, 2009
  7. According to Green & Company, the premier traders' tax accounting firm, the number of losers is closer to 95%.
     
    #68     Apr 22, 2009
  8. Sushi

    Sushi


    Yes. Yet the assclowns on elite will argue about it. No wonder wallstreet is so rich and retail traders so poor
     
    #69     Apr 22, 2009
  9. Well you completely omit the concept of expected returns. The odds in playing roulette are so much worse vs trading by a seasoned trader, who exhibits discipline, sound money management and risk taking, position sizing and above all, patience .

    On the other side, yes, you are right, the average beginner is better off playing roulette than trading, absolutely right!!! The problem is most approach trading as some sort of game and get rich quick scheme and that usually kills them.

    By the way, never underestimate the number of new incoming "meat". Believe it or not most brokerages can afford not to care at all and still make a decent living, merely by false advertisement and glossy ads. Sad but true...


     
    #70     Apr 22, 2009