What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

[BadJuju]

Re: What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

I find myself listening to EJ, and many others here, more and more, and less to the shrill of outside influence. I post less and read more, and more carefully. When I post it is usually in the form of a question or an attempt at comic relief. I let the big dogs have their space. They deserve it. I have also become much more patient with the lability of my investments. I am relatively young, but have now been on the train long enough to make out a faint pattern through the fog of daily, weekly and monthly fluctuations. Investing early has made my decisions much clearer and the longer out I go things are making more sense, even in "the year of the jump ball." I think the most important piece of investment knowledge I have learned is patience; and secondly, the importance of a good insurance policy not made of paper; lastly, that I am not insane, the rest of the world is.

I, too, am the comic relief. :cool:

[BadJuju]

Re: What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

Thank you for responding BadJuju. It was your reponse to Mega that got me going. We spoke before about not feeling prepared. I felt a feeling of inadequacy when spoke of this.

What sort of epiphany did you have about yourself. And how did you observe that you were the "same guy"

I definitely feel very inadequate, both in this and other aspects of my life. This might diverge from the topic a little, but I feel like I have really missed out on a lot of things in life. This was supposed to be my break-out year, but the economy has really messed with my plans to do the things I want.

I said that I did not have an epiphany about myself on this forum! :P But I did have an epiphany about myself late last year that relates to what I said in the last paragraph. There is so much to be done, yet I have done so little. And it just pains me to think that all of that could be beyond my grasp very soon. So I am as pessimistic as I first was when I came here.

Hope I managed to answer your question!

[olivegreen]

Re: What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

I meant:
What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board? If what you observe is horror and absurdity. Then that is what you've observed about yourself. I think so much of the negative is explored here. earlier frustration was also mentioned.

That actually made me laugh. I don't think horror and absurdity greet me in the mirror in the morning... that I know of. The board's calm analytical approach has causes me to see the financial world and the world at large with horror and absurdity. I myself have simply gotten very cynical and afraid and philosophical.

[plinko]

Re: What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

But:
What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

I do notice that I've kinda adapted a more zen viewpoint (read: unexcited) to the economy and many other aspects of life. Sounds kinda cheesy to say such a thing, but reading EJ's articles here reminds me that in life, there is no free lunch (unless you're a trustafarian).

Strengths: I never really saw myself as having an interest in economics, until I left school, started working, and freaked out after discovering this site 6 months into working, sometime in 2006. Expecting a crash much earlier, I reduced my living standard (and why shouldn't a young worker who's more statistically prone to be unemployed not do so). The warnings on this site made me become a saver over the past two years. Having some emergency savings around makes it easier to swallow some of EJ's analysis.

Weaknesses: This is more due to laziness. I did not invest myself into the itulip thesis as early as I wanted to. Additionally the fear about markets crashing demotivated me from trying to further myself (i.e. career-related education) and taking worthy risks at times. I also wish I had realized how easy it was to short the market.

[cjppjc]

Re: What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

I definitely feel very inadequate, both in this and other aspects of my life. This might diverge from the topic a little, but I feel like I have really missed out on a lot of things in life. This was supposed to be my break-out year, but the economy has really messed with my plans to do the things I want.

I said that I did not have an epiphany about myself on this forum! :P But I did have an epiphany about myself late last year that relates to what I said in the last paragraph. There is so much to be done, yet I have done so little. And it just pains me to think that all of that could be beyond my grasp very soon. So I am as pessimistic as I first was when I came here.

Hope I managed to answer your question!

So you've observed pessimism. It is true for me as well. I started this thread by saying; if in the moment you observe yourself. For me this forum has allowed me to have that moment. I think this thread can be useful in that regard. And I can learn about myself. As well as learn about so much more.

[Spartacus]

Re: What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

you do realize, this is a finance board populated by gun-toting, bunker-building survivalists who no doubt have pickup trucks with gun racks (not that there's anything wrong with that).

It may not be the type of place to ask monastic sangha type questions.

EDIT: ended up being posted a different place than I thought it would ...

[*T*]

Re: What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

Steelier than I thought I was. Of the benefits of having a plan. A sadness that Mega's post alluded to. A collapse of faith in the competence of our leaders. A sanguine realisation that we are more f*****d than even I thought we were. A despondency about the current order and still a hope that the next order will be better. A gladness that the corruption and greed is being destroyed.

These are my observations of myself.

[cjppjc]

Re: What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

you do realize, this is a finance board populated by gun-toting, bunker-building survivalists who no doubt have pickup trucks with gun racks (not that there's anything wrong with that).

It may not be the type of place to ask monastic sangha type questions.

EDIT: ended up being posted a different place than I thought it would ...

I know this is a finance board. I couldn't think of a better place to post this question. It is a good question. And it can be helpfull.

[cjppjc]

Re: What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

Steelier than I thought I was. Of the benefits of having a plan. A sadness that Mega's post alluded to. A collapse of faith in the competence of our leaders. A sanguine realisation that we are more f*****d than even I thought we were. A despondency about the current order and still a hope that the next order will be better. A gladness that the corruption and greed is being destroyed.

These are my observations of myself.

Yes. The sadness af Mega's post. That is what got me started. It resonated so strongly in me. For me the idea that to get ahead others have to fall behind. I didn't want this thread to just bring out the negitive feelings we have about all this. You mentioned steeliness. Others have talked about a confidence they feel.

I have to go to work now. Remember this thread is about your OBSERVATION about yourself while reading or posting on this board. Not judging it. Judging has a different taste altogether.

[karim0028]

Re: What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

About myself, i sensed that i was grateful to be able to look fear in the eye with the education and information i find here.... I've never been one to run and hide. IF the SHTF, i want to know about it, better to be informed and act than sit like a sheep waiting at the slaughter...

I like others here also noticed that people actually WANT to have fair weather friends (you really do get what you ask for)... People prefer to hear good news and dont want to hear it when its bad.... I have had people literally tell me to stop telling them the economic info as they just dont want to be depressed... I really feel bad bc there are going to be alot of people severely financially impaired by this crisis yet they dont want to hear it when i attempt to provide some information...

When i hear that, i just shrug my shoulders and walk away.... If it were me, i would want to know and i went out and sought info and have been seeking info for the last 2 years...

[ggirod]

Re: What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

iTulip has contributed greatly to my sense of understanding the financial mess in which we find ourselves. As a result, the events that would buffet my mood on a daily basis, instead mostly fit in the pattern I have come to expect. Nassim Nicholas Taleb would probably diagnose a variation on the theme of Illusion of Control but I find comfort in the illusion that data combined with astute analysis can lead to predictability.

Like Mega and many others I would that outcome were not so, that somehow magic would intervene and make it better, but even the suspicion that I have found a bit of truth means that the very noisy and distressing world is, for me, a bit quieter and more orderly.

[vanvaley1]

Re: What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

By disposition, experience, and DNA configurations, I'm slow to act. And while I listen intently and am buffeted by the winds of influence on this board which leads me to a buzz from drinking or comfortably basking, my crystal balls blub has blown a fuse cuz the folks who make the decisions bout the value of my assets haven't rung me up and told me what they're up to.

That's not to say I'm not impressed with the academic achievements and financial insights brought to the positions taken. In fact, I'm treading water much of time that I'm not under it when listing to these arguments and trying to figure out what to do. So I've decided to sit on what I got, maybe move a little of it here and there, and continue to follow the old plan of holding in my hands what I got and doing a bit of speculative gambling with some of the rest and just wait and see what will happen. I don't think the board is going to change my disposition to sit tight and ride it out but it's increased my understanding of why my moves will be successful and/or unsuccessful.

Guessing at the degree of correctness and intensity of impact some of the arguments on the board present is about all I can do. I'm content that while there are various degrees of differences in what's presented, I don't 'feel' that's there is a lack of character in those that present them. Looking for honesty is important when I surf the net. This site seems to have quite a bit of it so I get to choose what I think is the best action for me knowing an honest exchange of ideas has occurred.

I also share some of the confusion that is echoing about this site about what the 'deciders' will decide to do and what they will decide to do to camouflage what they're doing. So watching those discussions about that issue is important to me also and that is much appreciated and has an impact on what little changes I make. Food has been stored for a short duration, weapons are within arms reach, luxury expenditures have been curtailed, and a willingness to accept a lower standard of living has been accepted: Caveat: If I see the politicians, banksters, corporate execs, obscenely wealthy, etc. 'sacrifice' also. Which...I haven't. So I'm not willing just to placidly accept their decisions...as the emails to them and my voting record attest but I don't have any illusions that it's going to make them change their minds or directions they take.

Because of the opinions expressed on this site when the time for real change is near, I'm prepared to 'do' something about it when the crisis reaches a final crescendo. Before then it's a waste of time, money, and effort cuz I think the 'games in play' and all that can be done by me is wait for its outcome before acting on the results with fellow folks that reached a smiliar conclusion that we've been screwed royally and it's time to change that.

[Jay]

Re: What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

Yes I agree with what you said about the big dogs having their space. They do deserve it. I wait breathlessly for EJ or Fred to post. But:
What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

I am not sure I fully understand your question cjppjc, but I think you might be emphasizing the emotional side of things. Simply, I would say for me, knowledge is power. And this place is the source for me. I am less nervous the more time I spend here, even considering the current dark rhetoric. People have gone through much more difficult times than we are entering now and with less advantage. I have been preparing for years now and feel more informed and ready than most of the people I know. I see this as an opportunity in many ways; financially, yes, but, more importantly, I see this as a spiritual test for me and the relationship I share with friends and family. I also see this as a necessary and much needed catharsis for the country from which we will all emerge stronger and with a more honest focus.

[Spartacus]

Re: What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

I know this is a finance board. I couldn't think of a better place to post this question. It is a good question. And it can be helpfull.

never telling you that joke again

[cjppjc]

Re: What have you observed about yourself during your time on this board?

I am not sure I fully understand your question cjppjc, but I think you might be emphasizing the emotional side of things. Simply, I would say for me, knowledge is power. And this place is the source for me. I am less nervous the more time I spend here, even considering the current dark rhetoric. People have gone through much more difficult times than we are entering now and with less advantage. I have been preparing for years now and feel more informed and ready than most of the people I know. I see this as an opportunity in many ways; financially, yes, but, more importantly, I see this as a spiritual test for me and the relationship I share with friends and family. I also see this as a necessary and much needed catharsis for the country from which we will all emerge stronger and with a more honest focus.

thread is about your OBSERVATION about yourself while reading or posting on this board. Not just the emotional. For example I've observed that I smoke much more when I'm on this board. We tend to notice the emotional side because they are strong reactions.