Quote of the Week

Thought I begin this week with a quote about stock trading:

"Markets operate without normal human helpfulness. Every trader tries to hit others. Every trade gets hit by others. The trading highway is lettered with wrecks. Trading is the most dangerous human endeavor, short of war."

So if you're thinking about improving your financial situation through stocks, be wary of the clash of the bears and bulls. I didn't mention the sheep or the hogs because they are the first slaughtered.

New Mouse?

I've been contemplating buying a new mouse (among other things). I'm using a touchpad now, and it simply doesn't help my productivity; in fact, it may be fostering counter-productivity. Should I get a Logitech? A Microsoft mouse? How about a trackball? I just need something with great precision.


If you're in a similar situation, I advise you to take a good look at Microsoft's new BlueTrack technology and Logitech laser mice. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, consider getting a trackball, and if you're a graphic artist, consider buying a Wacom tablet. Those seem to be the best peripherals according to my research.

Are Our Lives That Meager?

The New York Times reports that a horde of shoppers trampled Jdimytai Damour, a Wal-Mart Employee, to death during Black Friday. Here is the entire story:

Wal-Mart Employee Trampled to Death

A forsenic question arises: who is at fault? Are all the shoppers who trampled the unfortunate man accountable for murder? It would be impractical, however, to round up all likely suspects and interrogate them, and witnesses, if there are any who were attentive, would have trouble recollecting what happened at the chaotic crime scene.

Consumerism is reaching a state of sheer madness--that is, if it has not already reached such a pinnacle. Will society crumble under this? I believe it will, for if such chaos and tragedy can arise from such inanity, our lives are nothing but meager. We must rectify ourselves and remember that we have dignity. Otherwise, we will lose everything.

Eudaimonia

I just love philosophy. I even listen to podcasts about it, but I haven't had the time to do much earnest reading.

Eudaimonia simply means "happiness" in Greek, but some philosophers and scholars prefer to translate it as "human flourishing."

Aristotle had a theory of eudaimonia in his work the Nicomachean Ethics. He asserts that "every art and every scientific inquiry, and similarly every action and purpose, may be saide to aim at some good. Hence 'the good' has been well defined as that at which all things aim." According to him, the ultimate aim of all human purposes is eudaimonia. Everyone wants a eudaimone life, and it does not make sense to ask why we want a happy life, for eudaimonia is not a means to an end but rather the end itself.

Innocence

Who dreads the inevitable loss of innocence? Does it make sense to question why it is so important?

Thanksgiving

To my dear readers,

Have a great Thanksgiving! Remember to get some rest before Black Friday though.

But I doubt the financial advantages of Black Friday. Although it is certainly fun to participate in such an activity with a horde of fellow shoppers, is it worth it to line up for four to twelve hours just for a few items that may really be distractions? It will probably be better for you to stay home and improve. I don't want to obtrude myself on my readers, but I know that this is best for me.

Nightmare of Paranoia

I lost myself in a nightmare of those paranoid days.

If you're a fellow student, don't be afflicted with a paranoia about grades like I was. We're born to succeed, not fail, and one of the requisites of success is to rid ourselves of paranoia. After we've done that, we must fixate on learning continually. Once we've learned everything there is to know, we will fail at nothing and attain true mastery of our lives.

Quote of the Week

I often enjoy Thoreau quotes.

"Be true to your work, your word, and your friend."

--Henry David Thoreau

Investing

Though some may contend that money is inherently evil, I will not get into any confrontational argument here. But I will certainly say that money does have instrumental value so start investing prudently today. I am only eighteen, and I already have stocks.

But where should you start? The beginning of any path may be daunting, but if you sincerely commit yourself, you will attain wonders. First save some money from your work or ask your parents then open a savings account at your local bank or credit union. Bank rates differ locally, so I can't help you choose a particular bank. I do know, however, that credit unions generally offer better rates than banks. You just have to shop around. Don't be afraid to inquire and be wary of certain fees (such as maintenance fees) that banks may charge.

While opening your bank account, you may also want to open a checking account too. That way when the need arises, you can pay with a check.

That's it for banking for now. If you want more information and if you're a high school student, I advise that you join your school's Finance Academy. If you don't fit the latter criterion, I suggest you take a finance class at a local community college. I will also offer handouts for banking, credit cards, and stock trading, but I need more time.

Congratulations on beginning your path to financial independence.

Quote of the Week

I truly enjoy inspirational quotes.

"Until one is committed, there is hesitance, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves, too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would come his way."

--William Hutchinson Murray

Memories of Christmas Taste Like Candy Cane

When I was running around my neighborhood at twilight, I saw a dazzling Christmas display. LED icicles, feeding reindeer, a Christmas countdown illuminated the darkness, but what struck me the most were the vibrant candy canes. They evoked memories of Christmas and strangely a sweet peppermint taste in my mouth. Because of that, I just might go out and buy some candy canes early this year--particularly the blueberry flavored ones. Those will always be my favorite.