Quote from olias:
I haven't followed this thread for while. Can someone bring it back into focus for me? what insights have we gained about the market by studying coin flipping? what is the angle?
Olias,
Not to put words in the other poster's mouths, but, in my opinion, I look analyzing a system's results compared to a system that is random ala a coin flip. Additionally, what changes/tweaks are available to move my system away from randomness AND are those changes/tweaks actually an improvement or just adding a second component of randomness on top of a primary random component. As Mike said prior, the best systems (if not all) have a fundamental or theoretical basis and proving that basis is indeed an edge is the goal.
As for insights, I'd argue the following:
1) it is possible to have equity curves and trading statistics that are far from breakeven using a random entry (as Mike posted this morning and I posted a while back with far less detail [just profit curves]).
2) I'll let others add their newfound or pre-existing thoughts/insights...
3) there is a bifurcated Elite Trader readership, those that appreciate a good thought experiment and the sharing of knowledge, and those that are stuck in their box, thinking their way is the only way, and would rather attack posters rather than the ideas said posters present.
Hope you continue with this thread, I'm hoping to add to it as time permits.
Cheers,
masterjaz