There are certainly enough herds of like thinkers galumphing all over the place and they're certainly going crazier as time goes on.

I don't know what it takes to provoke those one by one cures but I'd love to find out.

Not just in the classic sources, but in the oddball things I've picked up here and there as well.

If nothing else, though, this one reminds us no matter how discouraged we might get -- and goodness knows I'm about as discouraged as they come! -- there is always hope. Elections have been won by one vote . . . . or lost.

With some big mutual fund companies it's hard to tell what you're investing in anymore. A fund can manage tens upon tens of billions, so large there are several investment management companies with a piece of the action. They're so diversified they don't catch waves by vivisected market segments. So you're better off in an index fund, however much you disagree that investing is one big bet on growth in the overall economy.

Secondly, growth, led by AI and tech, is on fire! Some funds moved about 18% since the 1st of September. That led to a stronger US dollar, and some foreign funds have plunged by the same 18%.

I seek great ideas. I only see a handful a year, and often miss one or two. AI is such, it has potential to become a long term trend and the ground floor is scorched from blastoff. Also the economy is benefiting from tech efficiency, and the way costs - resources, disposables - are being squeezed from consumption. Notice smaller and smaller packaging? Retail fits more items in the store that way. I buy donuts. The boxes are so thin they almost collapse from the weight if you pick them up with one hand.