“It has been more profitable for us to bind together in the wrong direction than to be alone in the right one. Those who have followed the assertive idiot rather than the introspective wise person have passed us some of their genes. This is apparent from a social pathology: psychopaths rally followers.”
Nassim Taleb
“Many politicians are tantalizing storytellers, as they mix facts with fiction, grab our emotion and tell things, they want us to believe. Their factoids are unremittingly reiterated, take a life on their own and in the end become the very truth… until the bubble bursts."
Erik Pevernagie
“He is an emancipated thinker, who is not afraid to write foolish things.”
Anton Chekhov
Yes, but what about the emancipated thinker who has emancipated themselves from the facts, and freed their words from the constraints of reality? Their foolishness should therefore know few bound, and prove to be rather sensational.
There seems to be quite a bit of that going around these days, especially among the elite, and all the best people. But as Schopenhauer noted, those who write foolishly, presumably for fools, will be assured of a large audience. And so it pays, and thrives, don't you know?
The US stock bulls were snorting out of their pens this morning, with their noses pointed up towards that stubborn overhead resistance, with a mind towards breaking through and over it.
And for a time today they did. But alas, their efforts fell a bit short as their enthusiasm subsided into judicious profit taking by the robotic speculators and their manservants on Wall Street.
But tomorrow is another day. There will be an option expiration on Friday for US stocks that is of some significance.
The Dollar slumped a bit lower still, but gold and silver rallied a bit higher, with gold pushing up against an overheard resistance of its own.
The US joined the rest of the world in grounding the Boeing 737 Max series. This had a significant impact on Boeing, a few suppliers, and some airlines like SouthWest whose fleets are heavily weighted towards that vehicle.
The UK Parliament is falling all over itself in dealing with the Brexit situation. The deadline continues drawing closer.
I watched the movie about the Brexit vote starring Benedict Cumberbatch, and thought it was rather good, although I have no idea how true to history that it was.
The young man is on his way to London now, to spend his Spring break with his lady love who is finishing her studies there.
I asked him to keep me apprised of his impressions of the mood on the ground. Although as I remember, I was there with the queen when John Major staged his coup against the Lady Thatcher. And one noted it little enough except on the evening television and in the newspaper headlines.
Brexit may prove to become a more comprehensive experience.
And there is little doubt that we here on this side of the pond are in store for a comprehensive experience or two, consequence-wise, of our own.
Have a pleasant evening.
