Slope of Hope Blog Posts

Slope initially began as a blog, so this is where most of the website’s content resides. Here we have tens of thousands of posts dating back over a decade. These are listed in reverse chronological order. Click on any category icon below to see posts tagged with that particular subject, or click on a word in the category cloud on the right side of the screen for more specific choices.

A Time Saver Tactic (by Mark St.Cyr)

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If you're anything like me you've followed the political machinations when it mattered which is consistently throughout the year. Now that we're in the middle of conventions, and more you've probably tuned out. I believe this is actually a smart use of ones time at this stage of the game. Is there really anything you'll hear at this stage of the game that would make you say: "Oh I didn't know that. I'm flipping to the other guy now!"

No matter what side of the fence you're on, If I had to bet I would wager you already know whom you're going to vote for. As of today I can't think of a single reason or logical case one could make where a thinking person concerned with their business, families welfare, and more would not have already decided whom they're going to pull the lever for.

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Proof: Foolish Thinking Produces Fools (by Mark St.Cyr)

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As we head into the final holiday of the summer, I thought I’d make
my own final entry on the foolishness I see portrayed more often than I
dare try to quantify. It started when I was working on a project while
the television was on. (You can read part 1 and 2 here)

Here’s my current perception of how I see what “financial television”
has evolved into: Bloomberg® for flavor of the day financial banter,
CNBC® for comedy, and Fox® for soft porn. I mean it’s just ludicrous
what the so-called “financial” outlets have turned into. What’s next?
Someone pounding buzzers, whistles, and gongs as they give out 401K
advice to attract viewers? Wait…scratch that.

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Proof: Foolish Thinking Will Produce Fools Part 2 (by Mark St.Cyr)

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I decided to write on these subjects because I was hit with one after
another as I was working while the television was on. There are times I
feel the smarter we as humans become with all our technology, the down
right stupider many of us have become.

It started with the news story of a 10-year-old girl flying alone. (you can read part 1 here)
As dumbstruck as I was at the sheer stupidity on behalf of everyone
involved in the matter. As the news went to commercial I was mortified
on what came on next. Ladies and gentlemen let me introduce you to the
next possible IPO wannabe coming to an exchange near you. Care(dot)com

What is Care(dot)com? Think Angie’s list but not for a plumber,
contractor, or anything else of the sort. No this is for a babysitter. All you need to do is click,
read the reviews, then when you feel like you’ve garnered enough
information by clicking and reading the only thing left to do is invite
this person over to your home and leave them there. Alone. In your
house. With all your treasures. And also the lives, and well-being of
your children. Hey, isn’t technology great! All you need to do is click,
and read reviews then bammo! You’re a parent of the modern age
practicing due diligence for the safety and well-being of your
children, and more. A role model of society. How proud and smart you
must now feel at this great awakening. You’ve now entered the modern age of parenting.

Once again I said: “You have GOT to be kidding me!”

I am fully aware of the restraints or caged feelings
parents get when children are young. The sheer absence of anything
serendipitous or the resemblance to any spontaneity. As if vanished
into the ether never to be seen again.

However, I only need to pose one hypothetical question in my mind to
see if I might be off track. I see myself asking my mother: “Would you have left us with a babysitter that you found in the want ads?” As
I was ducking the first attempt at her cracking me on the back of the
head I would then try to defend the question with this follow-up: “But, they come recommended. Written reviews from people stating how great they are.” As she was reaching for the broom for a better angle she might start saying:
“Are any of those “people” people you know? Like family or close
friends? What in the world are you thinking? Is that how I raised you?” (Just for the record there was never any corporal punishment, it was more along the lines of the whack that says: What are you thinking!)

And there lies the truth that hits you harder than a broom, a smack,
or anything else.  Common sense. It’s far more of a bludgeoning hammer
than anything else wielded by a parent. And like many of you, our
parents seemed to be armed with the equivalent of a super carrier. Today
I believe many parents have barely enough common sense to fill a
dinghy.

It’s one thing to be looking for a Nanny, or some other form of
caretaker for children. (Oh and yes they offer all that and more!) But that’s not what I’m discussing here. This
falls into: “Hey, there’s a great band playing at the local gin mill
down the street. Everybody’s going out tonight to party. Everyone
except us because we have a child, and no babysitter. Hey wait, we can
go! I saw this ad on television for Care(dot)com. You enter your info, check
the referrals on-line then bammo! We have a babysitter so we can go out
a tear it up also. Where’s the laptop?”

Is there any wonder why we just can’t make any rhyme or reason out of
some of the things we see happening today? I contend it’s because –
there isn’t any. Most of the common sense that was common has been
replaced with: “But It was on the internet so it must be true. Here look for yourself!”

No wonder we’re in trouble.

© 2012 Mark St.Cyr   www.MarkStCyr.com

Proof: Foolish Thinking Will Produce Fools (by Mark St.Cyr)

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If you’re anything like me you’re quite aware that if you truly want to know someone forget about what they say, and watch how they conduct their lives. People might talk smart, but they can have the reasoning capacity on par with a pile of rocks.

I was struck or should I say dumbfounded this week by a few events that just made me wonder what are these people thinking. Then I caught myself and realized that was even more of a dumb question. Here’s what I just don’t get…

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The Liquidity Trap aka Defending The Indefensible (by Mark St.Cyr)

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This week the markets were abuzz with commentators railing back and forth about volume levels or what some refer to as participation levels. One of the highly touted reasons given was Europe is on vacation. I would argue most “participants” are not only on vacation, but quite possibly more are taking a “Permanent Vacation.” And the industry itself is not only to blame for the dwindling numbers, but is acting as the travel agent selling only one way tickets.

People are leaving these markets and they aren’t coming back anytime soon. You no longer need to be a market maven to understand because anyone with a morsel of simplistic rationale now understands the game is rigged. And what was at first an assumption or oppressive nagging feeling was validated for all to see in the debacle of Knight Capital Group.

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