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.

You Can’t Make This Stuff Up (by Trade Flight Plan)

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It's a wonder that Pump 'n Dump schemes continue to try and prey on unsuspecting investors.  Although it's hard to imagine this stuff is legal, the frequency of penny stock solicitations in our inbox suggests these schemes are alive and well.

Every now and then, an email slips through that really offers some nice entertainment value.

The latest solication arrived last week, on 12/12/12 of all days for ticker symbol PFNI.  You would think that the Psychic Friends Network Inc., of all companies, would have an edge in forecasting future stock price appreciation.  We are not making this stuff up.

PFNI

Just for kicks, a few days later, let's take a look at how PFNI is faring in the markets with its stampede of new investors.  The yellow arrow points to the daily price candle on 12/12/12, when the spam – er marketing – email was received.

Chart

 Instead of heading to the $1 level very soon, as prognosticated by Elliott Dobbs, esteemed publisher (but obviously not a psychic), we actually crater to nearly zero the past two trading days.  You just can't make this stuff up.

Tiring of “Uncle Warren” (by Mark St.Cyr)

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As we settle into the holiday malaise one thing keeps coming across
the airwaves, and print with more intrusive annoyance than a new colored
or shaded shopping day advertisement: Warren Buffet.

Over the years he has a great track record and has delivered share
holder value worthy of praise. So let me be clear that I respect, and
applaud it. However the sycophantic drooling over what he says; or the
unquestioning must follow cult like reactions to every word mouthed is
getting not only old – it’s down right pathetic. Not only from investors
of all stripes, but the media as well.

When it comes to investing one term that gets repeated over, and
over, and over again is “I worship at the altar of Mr. Buffet.” I
understand using hyperbole to make a point. Yet what you hear next 9 out
of 10 times is that person carrying on as if there really is some alter
within a building where this person or others receives edicts from one
of Warren’s many investing guide books. (Sorry I meant gospels)  As to
instruct and follow his written word as he has written.

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The Jump

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Those of you even a little familiar with me know that I don't get my jollies sitting in front of a television and whooping for whatever I am seeing (like, say, football, basketball, bass fishing, or anything else). But when it comes to anything to do with space exploration, I get interested.

Although I recognized the whole Felix jump thing as a fantastic marketing push by Red Bull, I still thought it was an awfully cool idea. Last week, I watched the first attempt, but that got nixed due to weather conditions. The second one did too. I figured people would lose interest.

But on Sunday morning, I saw he was having a third go at it, and I gathered the family together to watch the entire thing live. I can't remember being so excited and spellbound by anything I've seen on television (except, on the very opposite end of the emotional scale, for 9/11). The little "best of" clip below doesn't even come close to approaching the thrill of seeing things happen in real time, but it does a nice job of showing some highlights. When he stepped off the platform, it took my breath away; and seeing him spin wildly in a free-fall, only to right himself into a Superman pose and get stable, I couldn't help but burst into applause.

There's no actionable trade idea here, people. It was just really, really awesome.

Proof Positive the Tech End-Times Are Here

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OK, it's over, folks. Put a fork in it.

Yeah, yeah. Pandora. Zynga. LinkedIn. Facebook. I know, I know. It's a whole new era of 22 year old multi-billionaires, all of whom, strangely, are gorgeous, white, and have English accents.

If you ever need proof that this entire thing is going to come crashing down on their heads, watch the video below. Take it from me – – – I know the Silicon Valley backwards, forwards, and stone-cold sideways. I've lived here decades. I live every day in the centerpoint of it all. I've started and sold a successful high-tech startup. I know many venture capitalists and some of the most storied entrepreneurs in this area.

But when cultural saturation has reached this level – – – when the Silicon Valley has become the new forum normally reserved for the bubble-headed pontifications of the Real Housewives – – it's all over. And you can bet your Facebook put options on that.