Level of participation in stock threads

[Julia]

I would just like to clarify something. I don't want anyone to feel obligated to post in stock threads. My initial request was that those who have an active watchlist - and most of those interested in stock market trading or investing do - please consider updating those threads when new information comes to hand.

It is not mandatory to participate in stock threads, I just think that ASF is more interesting and useful (and true to its original purpose) when there is more activity in these threads. ASF is a stock market forum and I would like to encourage a focus on market related discussion. I have no issue at all with the amount of posts in threads in the General Chat forum and I do not wish to restrict posting in any way. I'd just like to see more stock chat and I'm happy to see that seems to be occurring and I hope it continues.

Understood and appreciated. I have just tried to make it clear that I have no intention of getting back into the market for now and therefore have neither a watchlist or a particular interest in any companies while the present volatility continues. When that changes, I'll be back to commenting on particular stocks.

Disagreeing with someone's opinions and/or analysis is not attacking them. It's simply disagreeing, even if done in a tactless or thoughtless way.

It would be good if there were fewer personal insults imo. It should be possible to disagree with someone in a reasonably respectful way.

I disagree that intensity and passion equate to bullying. I think there are many who feel that criticism of their views amounts to an attack of them. I can't agree. Bullying is something different altogether, and I disagree that it is a common occurrence here at ASF.

+1. On the rare occasions real viciousness occurs it has been dealt with quickly and appropriately imo.

I'm sure moderating a site with such diverse personalities is very challenging. Hard to imagine anyone doing it more fairly than Joe imo.

 

[Julia]

i think a lot of people get real sick of the personal attacks in the forums

There's a certain irony here.
Some of your own remarks have been unnecessarily aggressive.

if you post opinion, then your attacked in a big way..

That seems a rather large generalisation.

 

[tigerboi]

forgot all about the ignore button...chief ASF dribbler now gone...tb

 

[prawn_86]

Heaps of good info coming out in stock threads now. It's amazing how just posting a bit of news others may not have come across starts to generate discussion, such as in the LWB thread for me.

Keep it up people

 

[MrBurns]

Almost everyone in here scans the stock threads as that's why they joined in the first place, they may not feel they can contribute often but they are there non the less.
So actual participation in those threads is not an indication of their use, they are used and used often.

 

[prawn_86]

Almost everyone in here scans the stock threads as that's why they joined in the first place, they may not feel they can contribute often but they are there non the less.
So actual participation in those threads is not an indication of their use, they are used and used often.

True, but the more participation we have, the more detail there will be for those reading. It may even encourage lurkers to join and post their questions, which all contributes towards ASFs growth

 

[Joe Blow]

Almost everyone in here scans the stock threads as that's why they joined in the first place, they may not feel they can contribute often but they are there non the less.
So actual participation in those threads is not an indication of their use, they are used and used often.

The real problem is that lower rates of participation result in less discussion. Those who are posting in stock threads get discouraged because they often feel like they are talking to themselves. If those who do post regularly in stock threads get discouraged enough, their level of participation will also decline, reducing the amount of stock discussion even further.

Of course, the opposite is also true. Increased rates of participation result in more discussion and an increase in the amount of active stock threads. I understand that many may feel as though they don't have anything of value to contribute. I would ask those who feel that way to consider the words of springhill in an earlier post in this thread:

I would encourage those who feel they have nothing to add but dont have the full grasp of a company, ask questions. Questions promote discussion, discussion promotes better analysis.

Questions let those posting in stock threads know that their posts are being read and appreciated. Questions also generate further discussion and result in more detailed analysis and an increase in the information flow.

 

[Superb Parrot]

The real problem is that lower rates of participation result in less discussion. Those who are posting in stock threads get discouraged because they often feel like they are talking to themselves. If those who do post regularly in stock threads get discouraged enough, their level of participation will also decline, reducing the amount of stock discussion even further.

I suspect that there are many lurkers out there just absorbing information and many not in the market now and losing interest in specific stocks.

FXJ is an example, it is fascinating at the moment with all the left and right forces pulling at it and it does not really get many posts. It really is a political toy and I suspect many participants just want to stick to 'is it a buy or not' and that can get boring, e.g. the inane chatter to that effect on CNBC. The outrage over Gina's involvement by Fairfax staff and Conroy was just amazing to me, as their soft-left political outlet disappears.

I have not purchased yet, but it is getting close.

 

[MrBurns]

I have not purchased yet, but it is getting close.

I agree, Fairfax MUST get better now that are restructuring, the big lift would come if Rinehart can get control and sack the entire board and put new people in there who aren't institutionalised and out of touch.

Overall I see this as an opportunity but I just don't trust my own judgment on past record.

On the other hand she could just wipe her hands of the whole business, dump the shares and walk away if Swan and others cause too much trouble.

 

[Superb Parrot]

I agree, Fairfax MUST get better now that are restructuring, the big lift would come if Rinehart can get control and sack the entire board and put new people in there who aren't institutionalised and out of touch.

On the other hand she could just wipe her hands of the whole business, dump the shares and walk away if Swan and others cause too much trouble.

Yes, she is wealthy enough to have two choices.

I don't know when I have enjoyed a media confrontation so much, and I do have a soft spot for the SMH and the Fin, the Canberra Times however is becoming fossilised and really needs a good shake up, and, I do feel for the sacked journalists and their families, but a media outlet needs a strong proprietor, a leader who will shape the ethos of the outlet and not be subject to the political views of the staff.

The current Federal Government and the Finkelstein enquiry and road-blocks at the moment, hence my caution.

Fairfax has been leaderless for years.

 

[prawn_86]

Please keep on topic. FXJ discussion should be in the FXJ thread.

Thanks

 

[MrBurns]

Please keep on topic. FXJ discussion should be in the FXJ thread.

Thanks

LOL I thought I was on the FXJ thread

 

[prawn_86]

Good to see continued discussion in the stock threads. Also seeming to get a decent mix of large vs micro stocks. I know large stocks dont tend to have as much 'potential' as spec stocks, but a lot of us have top 200 stocks in our portfolio so good to see info about them coming out

 

[Happy]

I could take bigger part in crowd creation, but I felt little bit uneasy that I can do something wrong.

First it has to be so many words, no problem here.
But you have to choose words, so it could not be interpreted as buy/sell advice,
actually it cannot appear as advice.

I am not much adviser, but felt bit overwhelmed so mainly stay clear, so don’t get in trouble.

 

[Joe Blow]

I could take bigger part in crowd creation, but I felt little bit uneasy that I can do something wrong.

First it has to be so many words, no problem here.
But you have to choose words, so it could not be interpreted as buy/sell advice,
actually it cannot appear as advice.

I am not much adviser, but felt bit overwhelmed so mainly stay clear, so don’t get in trouble.

Hi Happy, the 100 character minimum was abandoned about a year and a half ago. All I ask is that those posting in stock threads contribute some meaningful content that will be useful to others.

With regard to posts being interpreted as financial advice, just don't tell people to buy or sell any particular stock. Most other opinions should be OK.

 

[springhill]

I could take bigger part in crowd creation, but I felt little bit uneasy that I can do something wrong.

First it has to be so many words, no problem here.
But you have to choose words, so it could not be interpreted as buy/sell advice,
actually it cannot appear as advice.

I am not much adviser, but felt bit overwhelmed so mainly stay clear, so don’t get in trouble.

Happy, you are well within your rights to post what your opinion on any stock. As long as the perspective is correct.
Ie. 'I think XYZ is a good investment for the following reasons' is perfectly fine.
'You should buy XYZ because of the following' is advice.

Posting updated information/announcements/articles on any stock you have or are watching is a help. It may help others with their research and they may in turn post opinions.

All the best

 

[Happy]

Happy,

...

All the best

I know quite well what you have to do to fit in politically correct surroundings.

Just don't like it, and I still believe that if I follow the system that entry/exit point is triggered,
or make comment well before the event that if entry/exit point is triggered you should be allowed to say:

buy/exit

without the need to wrap your words in politically correct protective tissue.

All the best to you too

 

[Joe Blow]

I still believe that if I follow the system that entry/exit point is triggered,
or make comment well before the event that if entry/exit point is triggered you should be allowed to say:

buy/exit

without the need to wrap your words in politically correct protective tissue.

Happy, you are allowed to say that you are going to buy or sell at particular entry/exit points, you just aren't allowed to recommend that others buy or sell.

 

[Gringotts Bank]

buy/exit

without the need to wrap your words in politically correct protective tissue.

All the best to you too

What about this: "I'm buying because I think the price will go up". "I'm exiting because I think the price will go down".

 

[prawn_86]

What about this: "I'm buying because I think the price will go up". "I'm exiting because I think the price will go down".

Providing you give a reason as to why you think it will go up/down then it is fine, in fact that is what bost people do.

Simply saying you think, without a reason why, or just saying 'i just bought/sold' without adding anything else would generally be considered as low content as it doesnt add anything to the thread