Yes, that's of course natural tendency to dominate. But it's this way in many easily scalable areas. I doubt many talented musicians would settle with playing in the local bar if they easily could share their talent with millions. All it takes in trading to scale up in liquid markets is add contracts little by little... quite the benefit over many business which require so much more work to grow.
Unfortunately, the trader who ultimately loses believes himself to be much better than he is. So however or whenever the ego intrudes, he encourages himself to put on ever-greater size, and eventually he blows up. It's hardly an uncommon story. Those with healthier egos will learn how to trade and hone whatever trading skills they develop, then trade with a size that presents them with no threat. If one learns how to cut losses short and let profits run, he can make a consistent income. If one, for example, makes 1pt/day in the NQ and trades five contracts, what is the annual result? Of course, if one has multiple ex-wives, this income will not likely be sufficient, but absent the ego issues that spawned the ex-wives in the first place, it is unlikely that this particular problem will arise. If the income is insufficient regardless, one can hone his skills and increase the number of points won rather than gamble his way to elusive success via an increase in size. And it helps to have a thoroughly-tested, consistently-profitable trading plan. I know of only one person who fits the bill.
I agree ego problems often interfere and lead to catastrophic consequences. But provided the healthy ego situation gradual increase in size while liquidity comfortably allows makes sense to me. And honestly $20/day in NQ x 5 doesn't cover expenses even in Russia and even with no ex-wives our days... no way.
Yep. $100. Minus commission. Not even closely a living in Russian big city even for a family of two. Let alone Western cities.
True. But considering that most traders consistently lose, $100/day would seem like a bonanza. Before one starts counting the money, he must first learn to trade well.
ex-wives : some were unlucky not to have done the work on themselves before being taken for a ride by various predators and other problems. Not everybody get the chance of having discerning parents who advise their family members to sort their psychology/spirituality first before saying "I do". People pay dearly for not doing their psychological/spiritual work. I can thank trading and all the problems that getting in trading brought, for getting me on the path of psychological/spiritual education.