Picking Stocks, Picking Venture Capitalists, Picking Startups...It Is Hard But People Will Never Stop

Good morning.

I am back on Coronado and it is lovely. Like always.

I have two tweets for you to eyeball today. The first is from my friend Shai who explains that venture investing is a tough business. I concur, but proudly note that our venture firm Social Leverage is in the 2.5 percent (we are not raising capital). The second is from Charlie who has a habit of sharing exciting stock return porn. I believe he shares it because it makes for good engagement and return porn explains why people will always TRY to pick stocks.

Per Shai’s tweet…I live amongst the venture capitalists and founders on Twitter and Shai’s post explains why I am snarky and saucy towards the ‘industry’ at times. I was mentored well and know the math so I have always appreciated how hard the business is. I try not to take myself too seriously. Ellen and my partners are there to call me out when I do. Good for the soul, bad for the traffic.

Per Charlie’s tweet…as I have detailed here on my blog the last year, I have become more of an Index ETF person in my old age. I will always try to pick some stocks and place a few trades. I mean I have a home on the internet named Stocktwits!

I own some Bitcoin and some Google and Apple and Netflix so I do know what it feels like to own a public market monster, but with my risk profile I am not good at doing this at a portfolio level. That does not stop me from sharing what I am doing (buying or selling), I just don’t tell other people what to do.

I know that no matter how hard it is and no matter how much data is shared about how hard it is, a large percentage of people are hardwired to try and beat the markets. That is why Stocktwits and Twitter (Fintwit and VCtwit) do not have traffic problems.

Have a great Friday.