Here's What You Can Do With a Brain and a Bit of Knowledge
It takes brains and a bit of knowledge to know that markets have been trading in a relatively defined range lately. So let's not waste time analyzing what's really not very interesting and look at what you can to with a brain and bit of knowledge.
You can go far with a brain that functions reasonable well along with a bit of knowledge. From time to time we refer to our "brain trust" - those paid experts whose analysis we deem worthy of our hard-earned dollars.
One of the qualifications to be part of that brain trust: a brain and a bit of knowledge. Another: Having knowledge in areas which we could use some supplemental information and thought. For example, two of these folks have a broad and fairly deep knowledge of history - not just financial history, but history in general. Their analysis and the opinions they offer reflect this. We find it valuable and so we pay for their services.
A couple of others have particularly sharp skills in the area of technical analysis. While having some knowledge of this area should be part of your investment took kit, in my humble opinion, these folks spend much of their time digging deeper and wider than we have the time or inclination to do ourselves. So we pay them.
But setting aside those in our brain trust, there are others where the connection between brain and knowledge provides value worthy of your time, maybe even your money. Since I'm a Roman Catholic by birth and choice, today let's take a look at this from that perspective.
The terrible publicity the Catholic Church has been subjected to in recent years creates a certain degree of consternation, sometimes anger, for serious Catholics. The consternation particularly effects those who, until recently, had no idea of the depraved behavior of some of their shepherds. I know Catholic who only in the past year or so realized that what they were reading about turned out to be uncomfortably close to home. It wasn't just a ginned-up media story.
For some of us, such stories were not a major source of consternation. Why? We already knew about these goings-on. In my own case, I had personal experience with depraved behavior by priests. Fortunately, there was sufficient distance between such people and our family. On the other hand, that distance was, at times, uncomfortably close, in one case including someone with whom I'd had a fair amount of interaction, and whom I'd lent my time, energy, and money in what appeard to be a worthy cause. It turned our this fellow had taken advantage of my and others' support to fuel his vices. It all ended rather abruptly and terribly when the truth came out. But at least he was immediately thrown out of the priesthood. Haven't heard hide nor hair of him since.
There were other incidents of which I had personal knowledge extending back 20 years or more. So that's why all the recent publicity hasn't caused much consternation. Now let's connect this to brains and knowledge.
In my own case, I combined consternation based on personal experience with study of Church history. (Knowledge based on study and personal experience can be a powerful combination.) I understood the nature and the depth of the rot - including the involvement of bishops in not only protecting the bad priests, but in certain cases indulging in the depraved behavior themselves. So when the stories began to break in earnest, there was no surprise, and no consternation.
From consternation, let's turn to anger. My lack of consternation did not allay a degree of anger. That anger arose from two sources:
First, from the actions, frequently outright crimes, of members of the clergy. Such depraved actions perpetrated by anyone deserve our condemnation, and the culprits serious punishment. But more than that, we have a right - maybe even an obligation - to express our anger at such people, even more so when they are members of the clergy.
But a second source of our anger arises from the very consternation caused by them. Catholics (and others) who trusted these people, and who had no idea that they were perpetrating these heinous acts, have been not only hurt by them, but, in certain cases, had their faith shaken, some (I suspect) broken. It's only natural to be angry with those who would harm others, as well as undermine their very faith.
Now, all of this resulted from having a brain that's active and functioning reasonable well (I think) combined with a bit of knowledge. To be sure, there are some who feel consternation and anger when they read the terrible stories with their horrid details. And such feelings are natural. But it's far better to experience both consternation and anger resulting for your brain and some knowledge, rather than mere feeling.
The recent case of Cardinal George Pell in Australia illustrates this, I think. Now, I don't know first-hand, or by an other means, the actual facts of the case. But from what I read in reports, the criminal justice system in Australia was juiced as much - if not mostly - by emotion, i.e., feeling, rather than either the facts or any real sense of justice. That's not good for anyone: obviously not the Cardinal if he's innocent; but also not the Australian justice system if it has been perverted by a desire to placate people who have reacted with their emotions rather than any use of their brains or a bit of knowledge.
In fact, our world will head down a well-greased slippery slope if we allow emotions to govern our lives, not only on a personal level, but an institutional one as well. And while I could be wrong, that appears to have happened in Australia.
If time weren't so precious, we could easily extend today's discussion beyond clerical depravity and Australia's justice system. We could turn our attention to the sad, and frankly dangerous, fact that far too many of us base our judgements on feeling rather than thinking or facts - brains and a bit of knowledge. But there's just too much to do in a given day to spend any more time on this. You've got this to chew on for now. If it makes sense, you're likely someone who does indeed use their brain, and does understand the importance of endeavoring to gain knowledge in those areas of importance to your life and the lives of your family and friends. If so, bravo. It's encouraging to know you're out there.
It's just that, more and more, it seems our numbers are dwindling, doesn't it?
You can go far with a brain that functions reasonable well along with a bit of knowledge. From time to time we refer to our "brain trust" - those paid experts whose analysis we deem worthy of our hard-earned dollars.
One of the qualifications to be part of that brain trust: a brain and a bit of knowledge. Another: Having knowledge in areas which we could use some supplemental information and thought. For example, two of these folks have a broad and fairly deep knowledge of history - not just financial history, but history in general. Their analysis and the opinions they offer reflect this. We find it valuable and so we pay for their services.
A couple of others have particularly sharp skills in the area of technical analysis. While having some knowledge of this area should be part of your investment took kit, in my humble opinion, these folks spend much of their time digging deeper and wider than we have the time or inclination to do ourselves. So we pay them.
But setting aside those in our brain trust, there are others where the connection between brain and knowledge provides value worthy of your time, maybe even your money. Since I'm a Roman Catholic by birth and choice, today let's take a look at this from that perspective.
The terrible publicity the Catholic Church has been subjected to in recent years creates a certain degree of consternation, sometimes anger, for serious Catholics. The consternation particularly effects those who, until recently, had no idea of the depraved behavior of some of their shepherds. I know Catholic who only in the past year or so realized that what they were reading about turned out to be uncomfortably close to home. It wasn't just a ginned-up media story.
For some of us, such stories were not a major source of consternation. Why? We already knew about these goings-on. In my own case, I had personal experience with depraved behavior by priests. Fortunately, there was sufficient distance between such people and our family. On the other hand, that distance was, at times, uncomfortably close, in one case including someone with whom I'd had a fair amount of interaction, and whom I'd lent my time, energy, and money in what appeard to be a worthy cause. It turned our this fellow had taken advantage of my and others' support to fuel his vices. It all ended rather abruptly and terribly when the truth came out. But at least he was immediately thrown out of the priesthood. Haven't heard hide nor hair of him since.
There were other incidents of which I had personal knowledge extending back 20 years or more. So that's why all the recent publicity hasn't caused much consternation. Now let's connect this to brains and knowledge.
In my own case, I combined consternation based on personal experience with study of Church history. (Knowledge based on study and personal experience can be a powerful combination.) I understood the nature and the depth of the rot - including the involvement of bishops in not only protecting the bad priests, but in certain cases indulging in the depraved behavior themselves. So when the stories began to break in earnest, there was no surprise, and no consternation.
From consternation, let's turn to anger. My lack of consternation did not allay a degree of anger. That anger arose from two sources:
First, from the actions, frequently outright crimes, of members of the clergy. Such depraved actions perpetrated by anyone deserve our condemnation, and the culprits serious punishment. But more than that, we have a right - maybe even an obligation - to express our anger at such people, even more so when they are members of the clergy.
But a second source of our anger arises from the very consternation caused by them. Catholics (and others) who trusted these people, and who had no idea that they were perpetrating these heinous acts, have been not only hurt by them, but, in certain cases, had their faith shaken, some (I suspect) broken. It's only natural to be angry with those who would harm others, as well as undermine their very faith.
Now, all of this resulted from having a brain that's active and functioning reasonable well (I think) combined with a bit of knowledge. To be sure, there are some who feel consternation and anger when they read the terrible stories with their horrid details. And such feelings are natural. But it's far better to experience both consternation and anger resulting for your brain and some knowledge, rather than mere feeling.
The recent case of Cardinal George Pell in Australia illustrates this, I think. Now, I don't know first-hand, or by an other means, the actual facts of the case. But from what I read in reports, the criminal justice system in Australia was juiced as much - if not mostly - by emotion, i.e., feeling, rather than either the facts or any real sense of justice. That's not good for anyone: obviously not the Cardinal if he's innocent; but also not the Australian justice system if it has been perverted by a desire to placate people who have reacted with their emotions rather than any use of their brains or a bit of knowledge.
In fact, our world will head down a well-greased slippery slope if we allow emotions to govern our lives, not only on a personal level, but an institutional one as well. And while I could be wrong, that appears to have happened in Australia.
If time weren't so precious, we could easily extend today's discussion beyond clerical depravity and Australia's justice system. We could turn our attention to the sad, and frankly dangerous, fact that far too many of us base our judgements on feeling rather than thinking or facts - brains and a bit of knowledge. But there's just too much to do in a given day to spend any more time on this. You've got this to chew on for now. If it makes sense, you're likely someone who does indeed use their brain, and does understand the importance of endeavoring to gain knowledge in those areas of importance to your life and the lives of your family and friends. If so, bravo. It's encouraging to know you're out there.
It's just that, more and more, it seems our numbers are dwindling, doesn't it?
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