Tag Archives: Jim Willie

Cognitive Dissonance and The Markets

Okay. It’s not my term (cognitive dissonance) but I like it. Dr. Jim Willie has used it in reference to what he believes to be malaise and the failure of 90 per cent of us who are failing to connect the dots in respect of the current shift underway pertaining to the economic “reset”. In his August 4th interview with X22 Report Spotlight, Jim metaphorically and substantially and endearingly refers to dialogue with his father as being someone as part of the 90 per cent group. As a music hobbyist, I’m familiar with dissonance as being a sound which clashes within a key and I relate to its contextual use. Jim displays noticeable frustration by those who have difficulty seeing the implications of events simply as they are with perhaps the luxury of not having lived through the great depression. One particular example of dissonance is official government statistics of inflation compared to your neighbours street feel assessment of inflation. 

At every turn in the news right now we are inundated with the political bizarre and I can’t help but wonder if folks have become so distracted with the Washington drama that they’ve been numbed by potential underlying distress of the financial system.  Consider this. Is it possible that there is actual good work going on in Washington unbeknownst to you and withheld from you because of the larger implication of crisis which could unfold should you be notified? Have you been prepared by your system of education to understand risks inherent to the financial system? If the system is in fact at risk and the risk has grown, what do you know about how to protect yourself? What about 2015 Greece, 1923 Germany, 2002 Argentina, 2018 Venezuela? What did their citizens believe regarding their economies prior to dramatic negative economic events. 

I’m writing about this because it’s not that difficult to create a hedge against something bad happening. Remember what your investment advisor said when your portfolio collapsed 30 per cent back in 2008? Don’t worry, it’ll come back. Well it may have taken 10 years so I guess they were right. Have you ever heard an investment advisor talk about the opportunity cost of 10 years of lost compounding?

   

Being In The Know

We often think we’re in the know when we really aren’t. We come to know because of what we’ve been told but who has been doing the telling and why? In spite of the profligacy of information on the internet, we are deservedly suspect. The question becomes “what do we do and where do we turn?” if information has relevance in designing our lives. 

Conspiracy theorists appeal toward our insecurity of knowledge. Through their inflammatory portrayal and oftentimes sharpness in intellect, they can even dislodge us from sound judgment. We can only harbour outlook through experience, education, reason, and observation. However; what we lack is information deliberately kept from the public domain.

From the period 2004 to 2007 I took the time to digest insights from speakers adept in the field of Austrian Economics. Having studied basic economics through my financial education, I have been rather fascinated about the contrast in the Keynesian model versus this Austrian model and whether there would be any implication to me directly in the context of these models duelling alongside future economic events.

This brings me to Jim Willie of his Golden Jackass website. Jim is a no nonsense fellow with a P.H.D. in statistics. Jim showcases himself as an economist without the credentials of an economist. He has an interest in world affairs as they relate to our monetary system and speaks with an inflammatory style typical of someone imbued of conspiracy yet logical and charismatically intelligent. His stories mostly correlate to postulations. One wonders about the worthiness of his sources but his ability to incite in my estimation supersedes any laxity inherent to his research. 

He was one gentleman that struck me the deepest during this period of my economic inquisition. This weekend with the Dow Jones Industrial Average approaching a double topping chart formation, I wonder if elements key to Jim’s world view will trigger the next market correction.

During the past two weeks, I have immersed myself in learning specific market trading mechanics pertinent toward portfolio protection. I’m happy to share. Simply subscribe.