What is the role of derivatives here? We see that there is great open interest in the S&P options all the way up to 1600 where there is a huge peak. This is the thursday before expiration next week. We also know that there was prior to today considerable short interest to help propel the market upward. We saw a similar burst before the last expiration (a triple witch) that took the S&P in a few days time to its open interest max. If i were a long time-frame investor (i am not right now) i would be very concerned if the S&P were to reach 1800, and it seems it well could. How much does the real estate collapse mitigate what might otherwise be a pressing need to boost the discount rate in the minds of the Fed board? As a trader, i am enjoying the ride. But i do not expect the market to go straight up forever and ever, amen. I look for it to regain some equilibrium after expiration.