John Doe

Fair points. Without the time to actively follow every twist and turn, I generally moved to buy and hold (buying the dips) of high div shares (during the last decade or so), only offloading when everything is looking c**p and the markets still rise. Jumped out totally summer 2007 (and STR'ed) and stayed out until march 2009, except for a bit of spread betting for fun. Although, I have to say that in addition to the whole scheme looking like it was about to collapse, and the run on NR, DD's thread on "the great dow high of summer 2007" did have a fair bit to do with that decision. Although I know it doesn't work all the time, I still think that there were some great predictive calls that he made using EW theory at that time. Really nailed several major turns. More recently though, (over the last 2 years) my strategy has been far simpler. Still going for the good high div shares on FTSE 100, but buying at the start of QE rounds and selling each time QE ends. This has resulted in my most successful few years ever. Currently stuck my toe back in about a week or two ago (listed on another thread) picking up some AV for 290. Waiting now for FED/BoE/BoJ/ECD coordinated QE3. At that point, I'll go from my current position of practically all cash, to practically all in

True enough, however, there are several examples when I have drawn a straight line on a graph, along previous highs or lows, that the market has indeed turned when hit. I have often used these to pick in and out points on the spreadbetting, and have done far better using this approach. Now I only lose half as much money I always thought that, if I were one of TBTB, (be they the fed, PPT, Morgan Stanley, or other market manipulators) the best time to get maximum effect for minimum dollar, would be to intervene at the most predicted resistance/support lines.

That would imply that everything is predestined and, therefore, that there is no free will. So I have to disagree. (Maybe I have no choice ) That's a whole new philosophical debate. Actually, some of the EW wave theories make sense as they are based upon observations of the herd mentality. However, as with many “soft sciences”, their predictive accuracy overall is generally only slightly better than chance. That said, I have noticed these theories tend to work best in times of fear rather than greed which would imply we are a lot more predictable in panic mode than normal mode.

There was a map I saw somewhere recently showing the green belt. Just looked like a ring around most cities. Nothing to stop them (properly) planning and building a few new cities instead. Plenty of spare land outside the green belt.

That is an interesting point and as we have said before, approaches like TA (or even moon watching ) can have success if enough people believe in the approach. Just like, if enough people believe “sell in May and walk away” then the theory becomes self fulfilling. I’m not sure that realising this requires an open mind per se, but rather an awareness that the beliefs of others cannot be dismissed out of hand and need to be taken into account even if one attempts to study markets in a totally rational manner.

Obviously not critical and logical enough to become a real scientist Interesting in that you would have to think a certain way to buy it in the first place?

Nothing new there, I got me one of them vortex machines at home, yellow one with a ball to help you steer it too. One heluva sucker, (reminds me of someone)

Rents up, prices down. Money cheap. Any ideas? Just kidding

Tides don't flow, they oscillate . Yep, be careful what you wish for. Impeccable logic, as always, BigMan

Peace, why are you trying to push it in? Perhaps it is because this board is seen by many as an investment board, not the fringe board. Like it or not, many of the points on this thread are not scientific, not mainstream, not really anything to do with investment and are, therefore, better discussed on the fringe board. Neils Bhor. I wonder if those that believe all these way out, nonsense (non-science?) predictions about major changes in 2012, will actually be big enough to admit they have all been taken for gullible fools once 2013 arrives and everything hasnt changed? I am guessing, (actually, Im pretty certain) that, just like all those that told us the same thing before the millennium, (and at multiple points throughout history) they will just quietly disappear and move onto the next mumbo jumbo train. I would love to be proved wrong.

After trying to add some checks and balance (sanity and realism) to this thread, I have, reluctantly, come to the conclusion that you, and others like you, are wasting your time. I refer you to a post (probably the most profound and insightful post on this thread) made at the beggining of this thread. This worries me too and I know of people that I have directed to this site that find it hard to take it seriously. This is a real shame as there is a vast amount of useful info and discussion disseminated here. May I suggest, for those that feel this way, that you look on No.6's thread (and others on the blog board), as that is a "non-fringe" investment area (at present).

As do reports of new perpetual motion machines. E.g remember the Irish one a few years back (magnetic system)? Yep, when scrutinised, it (unfortunately) didn’t work. Indeed, turned out to be a publicity stunt for a marketing company AFAIR. That’s actually worse than those who actually believe they have discovered something important. Of course, nowadays if someone truly believed they had found a new energy source, they would have it known around the world in seconds. Would you be scared off? Tell people you had been scared off? Or just quietly send it around the world to the universities and companies that could look at it (as they indeed do when something looks promising or even interesting.) As for ITER, a potentially limitless, clean energy source, it is costing several of the largest economies about a billion each. Small change really compared with say, bailing out a bank! (or a few hundred wind turbines, which even combined will never produce anywhere near the output of a new fusion reactor). Or, dare I say the Edinburgh tram system (1£B and rising). The potential returns from fusion surely make it an atractive investment as well. Speaking of fusion Power, I see today the UK have just joined the US NIF laser fusion project (the other hot fusion method as opposed to ITER). http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14842720

Thread derailing............ perhaps, board re-railing, definitely But 4 years? Even I'm not sure they'll keep the charade going 4 years Still, heho, in 6 years we'll be off to explore Mars!! Mars express

Not at all Laura, how closed-minded of you, I expected more from you, tut tut. You're just a beginner, us physicists are already up to 13 dimensions! You don’t need mumbo jumbo to see the wonders of the universe, including those beyond most people comprehension. Following the principles of the scientific method, it appears that, as weird as it sounds, fact really might be stranger than fiction. Of course, as always, the difference is that we have evidence of our way out theories (That said, if you can get me better than 4%, I might be tempted by your IPS )

In other news http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14912236 and, at the same time So, actually it seems 30,000 net new jobs (not public sector) were created over the same period. That should cheer everyone up

Many of the alternative alternatives have been investigated and these investigations have been/are funded by tax payers. It would definitely be an advantage for a major power to create new forms of energy nowadays, whereas, in the past with cheap oil there would have been an incentive for the oil co's to suppress info (if they could). Technologies, such as cold fusion etc, have been investigated in depth by multiple groups and universities all around the world (paid for by the tax payer, as well as some companies) and, unfortunately, were found not to work. Indeed, some of the more scientifically valid (i.e. theory understood well, and so really just engineering hurdles to overcome) like hot fusion (i.e. ITER of laser fusion for example), which offer potentially limitless safe clean energy, are being funded right now by multiple counties.

Maybe he did, maybe it was real, maybe past lives are real, the difference is that the scientific theory is backed by evidence and not hearsay.

Sir, a true scientist publishes or dies! Their work is for all humanity. (They also want to show the world that they discovered it first ) It is not the true scientists that withhold information, nor use their inventions and discoveries for evil. That job is reserved for the political and military masters! Thanks Peace, it's good to hear someone has learnt something from our efforts I'm also glad to see my hug has cheered you up and returned you to your happy peaceful self.

Oops yes, Freudian slip

OK, I give up. So, want to buy some magic beans? I'll swap you some for a cow

Wouldn't be surprised if London prices and gold fall next year as things start to bottom out, QE3 or 4 comes to an end and inflation falls. Back to the smaller houses stuff http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14907914 Smallest in Europe (which are apparently smaller than US)

You really don't get it do you. It's not his opinion, or mine that you are dismissing (and getting cross about), it is the collected works of generations of real scientists that follow the scientific method. That's all there is to it. It is either scientific, or it is philosophical (or it is totally whacko ). If a theory does not conform to accepted scientific principles, then it is philosophical and we can all discuss it in that context. That’s all there is to it. Simple!

Wow, a month gone by already! Yep, lots of NE. And lots more QE it seems too.

More figures looking gloomy Yet, as we keep saying, it is a market of many sub-markets http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14885963 infinitely better! EA's, gotta love em

Oh peace do you really think that, how sad I see its my turn to send you a hug! Sitting in your centrally heated house, with running water, power and light at the flick of a switch, connected to the whole world at the click of a mouse, at almost the speed of light (unless using GEI that is ), free to discuss and spread your thoughts with just a few keystrokes without being hauled out of your home and burnt at the stake for your erm non conformist ideas. Able to read and write, and obtain literature and art and knowledge from all around the world at the click of a switch and, moreover, not only able to obtain almost whatever food you require, but to actually call for food to be delivered to your house! Able to travel to far off places and see for yourself the wonders of the world (be they natural or manmade) Able to call for assistance in time of emergency, able to be treated for life threatening diseases, able to have one or two children with a very good chance they would both make it safely into adulthood, living twice as long (if not more) than you would have back then. While I agree, there are many things now that are not perfect, but was it better then, really? Well said, (and sorry, I seem to have repeated several of your points, but I only just saw your post after I had replied)