All traders do not start with a dream to get rich. Most (not all) start with hoping to make extra cash on the side or trying to generate some income with the illusion they can quit their jobs that their not satisfy with for whatever reasons.
Thus, very few traders become traders to get rich...not in today's market environment.
In contrast, back in the 90's and early 2000's...it was a different story. It was very common to see traders highlighting those that became rich. Today, those same names mentioned are less mentioned and usually mentioned by someone that didn't trade back in those days.
Also, strongly disagree with your theory that traders that posts their gains is nearly guaranteed to give it all back and than some. Seriously, how many posts are you talking about ? One post, a week's worth of posts, month worth of message posts, a year's worth of message posts on social media about their gains.
What exactly do you mean by post their gains ? You talking about audit statements, redacted screenshots or just someone writes a forum message post where someone shouts out or shows a tiny picture PnL blotter that they made a few hundred today.
What verification do you have that they gave it all back after doing the above types of message posts (post their gains) ?
I saw Baron (Elitetrader.com owner) state down in the feedback thread a few times that when a trader makes claims about profitability that if they suddenly stop posting...it implies they most likely blew up their account.
He didn't realize it just may be the trader either was sick, on vacation, moved to another forum / social media format (e.g. twitter, stocktwits, tradingview), changed user names, they died or just didn't like the censorship environment at this forum.
In fact, we have had many well known ET members here that use to consistently post their trades, statements or blotter that suddenly stopped or request their membership account be deleted...
They stopped because they decided they didn't like the environment here and it was best for them to post their trade journal, PnL statements, broker statements or whatever at another social media location instead of ET (e.g. destriero is the latest example...not because he blew up his account).
Reality, most that talk about trading even most here at this forum...most will lose at trading...it has nothing to do with if you post your gains.
Recently, I had a life threatening surgery back in October 2019. Had it not gone well and I died on the surgery table. I would have then never returned back to this discussion forum...never to post again.
Based upon Baron and your theory...I must have gave back all my gains and blew up.
P.S. Last year we had a few members that couldn't log into ET via their user name although they were not banned. They were being targeted...one forced to change user name, another decided it was best to go elsewhere and another eventually just quit this forum. They did not blow up...they were outspoken about a sponsor.
wrbtrader
