Trading and Suicidal Tendencies

[crgarcia]

Quote from schizo:

I've been hesitating to make this post since the subject of suicide alone is so damn controversial. But I think it merits discussion since the suicidal tendencies are readily apparent in trading.

Suicide is an willful act of ending one's own life. According to Wikipedia, there are various reasons associated with the risk of suicide including but not limited to depression or mood disorder, substance abuse, and socioeconomic factors. While external circumstances, such as a traumatic event, may trigger suicide it is more likely to occur during periods of socioeconomic, family and individual crisis.

Such crises induced by acute level of stress is not altogether an alien concept in the world of trading. Every day, we make our tortuous round from heaven to hell and back. Some folks make a killing while others inevitably lose everything and then some. But why do certain traders engage in particularly destructive behavior that ultimately blows out their account and end their trading career? For example, I've seen traders taking on excess leverage while they were in deep hole and yet they avoid using any leverage when they were in black. What catapults them over the brink knowing well that any misstep would cost them dearly?

By no means is this a scholarly debate but I do encourage any professional opinions.

Daytrading is a financial suicide.

 

[Blotto]

Quote from crgarcia:

Daytrading is a financial suicide.

That is a frivolous and unhelpful comparison.

I forgot to add: many things which average people do routinely could be considered "financial suicide"

- mortgage debt
- credit card debt with silly interest
- unsecured personal loans for frivolities
- slavery to fashion and keeping up with the Jones'
- "investing" in the market (without a clue)
- paying someone else without a clue to "invest" for you - see also "pension fund"

 

[lindq]

Quote from schizo:


Suicide is an willful act of ending one's own life.

http://www.befrienders.org can help with feelings of depression and suicide.

With the exception of a severe chemical imbalance, suicide is usually the result of feelings of hopelessness, failure, and lack of purpose.

I can appreciate why someone would have these feelings, and at some point in life we all do. To varying degrees.

But in my opinion, if someone reaches the point where they are truly ready to take their life, there is another direction they should consider. And that is service.

Leave your circumstances, if necessary explaining to anyone you are close to that you have reached a point of no return, and you are moving into a new life where in some fashion you can serve.

Serve what? Serve others. Serve the planet. Serve animal shelters. Serve anything anyway you can...and it will be a far more natural and supportive thing to do than taking your life.

 

[cap'ncod]

Quote from Blotto:

That is a frivolous and unhelpful comparison.

I forgot to add: many things which average people do routinely could be considered "financial suicide"

- mortgage debt
- credit card debt with silly interest
- unsecured personal loans for frivolities
- slavery to fashion and keeping up with the Jones'
- "investing" in the market (without a clue)
- paying someone else without a clue to "invest" for you - see also "pension fund"

+1

About self destruction, it is not about what is 'out there', it is about you. This usually means we are trapped in our individual perspectives, which can be upbeat or meloncholic. On the objective front there is mortality and stupid laws, conventions and social norms, prejudices, cruelty, stupidity, injustice and complacency which can make one think life is pretty awful. For the most part it is of course, but this is where mindset steps in: you can laugh (shared with many other like minded souls) or take it all too seriously and die worrying. I laugh when I think how fricking nuts the whole thing is. A cosmic joke. Just don't drink and trade, my friend, the markets are tough enough and reflect the cruel logic of nature. One has to be sober when going into battle but laugh at life's absurdity all the same. I mean, c'mon, this market is nuts, aint it!?