What is really interesting is what one poster some

What is really interesting is what one poster some time back called "polarized views". I think that it is simpler than one imagines. When you are very involved or invested in something it is easy to make it more complicated than it really is. When one is not involved, one tends to be more objective. There is a theory in investing, I read about this once, that first-time investors often make excellent decisions. The problem is the continuation of that pattern.... that is why I tend to go by the numbers. And accepting that 5-10%/ year is OK, with the odd capital gain.

That was Madoff's marketing strategy btw... solid 6-9% gains/ year. It is what people wanted to hear.