As a former lurker for over one year, I feel I need to say something on this topic. I am by nature (or nurture) an introvert, so sticking my neck out is not my strong suit. Here is a letter addressed to the Lurker Gosso from three months ago (mid December 2011). This was inspired by The Screwtape Letters, minus the God fearing part.
Dear Lurker Gosso,
It is good to hear from you again. I trust you are enjoying the Christmas Season with the family. Just a heads-up, go easy on the rum and eggnog at the office Christmas party -- I know it’s free but you’ll thank me in the morning (you are not a good dancer!).
I understand you have been debating whether or not to join that silly PP forum. I realize that you feel content to simply sit on the sidelines and watch; which is all well and good. After all, this is what you have been taught to do since childhood, “sit down and shut-up!”? But would you not have more fun if you picked up the ball and joined in on the game? Sure you might look weird dribbling the ball or taking a shot, but who cares, you’re having fun and the people around you are having more fun as well!
I realize that you’re telling yourself not to join in because there is the chance you might get hurt or embarrassed. Well, I have news for you, this fear is created by your ego to keep you safe from imaginary threats. What is the worst that can happen? Going back to being a lurker? This is a chance to grow as a person and slay those dragons that the ego is throwing at you. And if the people there don’t like you then that is their problem -- but as long as you're not a jerk you'll be fine. The only problem you might have is you become addicted and have to unplug the internet to get any work done!
Trust me; you’ll have a good time. If you are ever in doubt or things get rough remember these words of advise from the great Bill Hicks: “Life is just a ride.”?
Best Regards,
Gosso
I think I slayed some of my own dragons with that letter
But I can honestly say that over the past week I have been involved in some of the most interesting and thought-provoking conversations I have ever had. It has been great so far, thanks guys and gals!
Glad you're having fun, Gosso. I keep reading and posting in this forum because it's full of some of the most open-minded people I've ever met. You can have a dogma-free conversation with these people about virtually anything.
Tortoise wrote:
Glad you're having fun, Gosso. I keep reading and posting in this forum because it's full of some of the most open-minded people I've ever met. You can have a dogma-free conversation with these people about virtually anything.
I have stuck around for the exact same reasons. To be honest once I started the PP (over eight months ago) I lost a lot of interest in financial news and debates, since they seemed so trivial once I drank the PP kool-aid
Tortoise wrote:
Glad you're having fun, Gosso. I keep reading and posting in this forum because it's full of some of the most open-minded people I've ever met. You can have a dogma-free conversation with these people about virtually anything.
I have stuck around for the exact same reasons. To be honest once I started the PP (over eight months ago) I lost a lot of interest in financial news and debates, since they seemed so trivial once I drank the PP kool-aid
Maybe the good discussions here are what happens when you relieve your mind of the need to worry about your investments.
Q: “Do you have funny shaped balloons?”
A: “Not unless round is funny.”
Gosso wrote:
But I can honestly say that over the past week I have been involved in some of the most interesting and thought-provoking conversations I have ever had. It has been great so far, thanks guys and gals!
I for one have very much enjoyed having you join us! You've been helping shape some great conversations just in the few days that you've been here. Welcome.
I have really enjoyed your contributions as well, Gosso. Perhaps this forum is what happens when a bunch of smart people get bored watching their investments go up, up, up, and need some mental stimulation.
"I came here for financial advice, but I've ended up with a bunch of shave soaps and apparently am about to start eating sardines. Not that I'm complaining, of course." -ZedThou
Gosso wrote:
But I can honestly say that over the past week I have been involved in some of the most interesting and thought-provoking conversations I have ever had. It has been great so far, thanks guys and gals!
I for one have very much enjoyed having you join us! You've been helping shape some great conversations just in the few days that you've been here. Welcome.
Thanks Lone Wolf! It's amazing how when you are sitting on the sidelines you feel as if you cannot possibly add anything else to the conversation, but once you get involved things just start flowing.
Maybe the good discussions here are what happens when you relieve your mind of the need to worry about your investments.
I can vouch for this. Once I began using the PP I could feel a huge psychological burden come off of my shoulders -- think Frodo dropping the Ring into Mount Doom.
But then this left a void and I was unsure of how to fill it. I decided I would start reading the Bible but only got to page 120 of the Old Testament, before I couldn't possibly go any further -- I skipped ahead and just read the four gospels, which I thought were pretty good. This then lead to many other strange and exciting side paths. This past year has been great for my own personal growth.
Overall it must have been at least four years of researching and experimenting with different investment strategies before I found the PP. I cannot say I regret the time I spent on this since it eventually lead to the PP which truly felt like the end of the journey. Time to enjoy life!!
Storm wrote:
I have really enjoyed your contributions as well, Gosso. Perhaps this forum is what happens when a bunch of smart people get bored watching their investments go up, up, up, and need some mental stimulation.
Thanks Storm! I'm just glad MediumTex made this thread and that it was enough to get me involved.