Financial markets and human tragedy

[Old Greg]

With regards to the markets serving the people, come on, you're not that naive, Shirley?

Exactamundo. Of course, in a democracy, the public benefit should be the highest law. So either, the efficiency of the free market means that overall we're better off with it, or we're seriously screwed.

[Jog On]

As a speculator I'm with you on this one. I draw the line at human tragedy. If an out of control greedy financial institution is going down the crapper I'll short it all the way down, but when people are dying etc due to natural disasters or otherwise I won't have any part in it.

However - I will say that the japanese have been trying to weaken their currency (to bolster their export industry) for ages and a weak Yen is good for their economy. Shorting their stocks or indexes based on a situation like this is disgusting.

I think exchanges around the world should put a ban on short selling Japanese companies while this is happening similarly to how they did in 2008. Selling your shares is one thing but this unforgiveable.

[EternalOptimist]

Indeed, but there's also no need to deliberately seek profit from this kind of suffering.

Would love to do something, but can't see any other way than to make an extra red cross donation.

I don't know the answers, but that doesn't mean I can't ask the questions.

I dunno.
my mum died last year and that bastid undertaker made a profit out of us. and the headstone maker.
and the pub.
Plus their prices have gone up by about 4 times inflation for the last few years.
But they wernt actually revelling in our misery mich - just supplying a need, seeing a niche, exploiting an opportunity.

if you are still angry , try old EO's anger management technique. Get a can of beer and squeeze it so hard the ring pops off and the ale shoots into your mouth like spinache from the old popeye cartoon

[PRC1964]

You should have done it anyway.

Then explained that you haven't heard from close friends in Japan.

Unfortunately sometimes people need a reality check on what really matters.

There is no point having loads of money if you are dead.

I have hopes that I will leave enough to help my family when I am gone.

[Mich the Tester]

Until you saw the photographs you were exploiting the disaster for your own amusement re: the Songs for Japan thread.

What's the difference?

With regards to the markets serving the people, come on, you're not that naive, Shirley?

Humour is a normal way for people to deal with tragedy; it puts all sorts of things into perspective.

Actually trying to profit from this is another thing altogether.

As for being naive, no, but to some extent sensitive, and having seen the financial debacle of the last few years from within, I rather wonder whether the system we have now is right. I just don't know of an alternative that's better, but that doesn't mean the discussion shouldn't be held.

Anyway, don't call me Shirley. Yer big Mary.

[Churchill]

Humour is a normal way for people to deal with tragedy; it puts all sorts of things into perspective.

Actually trying to profit from this is another thing altogether.

As for being naive, no, but to some extent sensitive, and having seen the financial debacle of the last few years from within, I rather wonder whether the system we have now is right. I just don't know of an alternative that's better, but that doesn't mean the discussion shouldn't be held.

Anyway, don't call me Shirley. Yer big Mary.

Mich, where do you think the expression "Every cloud has a silver lining" originates?

However distasteful some people will profit from others misfortune.

[MarillionFan]

Humour is a normal way for people to deal with tragedy; it puts all sorts of things into perspective.

Actually trying to profit from this is another thing altogether.

As for being naive, no, but to some extent sensitive, and having seen the financial debacle of the last few years from within, I rather wonder whether the system we have now is right. I just don't know of an alternative that's better, but that doesn't mean the discussion shouldn't be held.

Anyway, don't call me Shirley. Yer big Mary.

Laughing at someone's misfortune is OK, but profiting from it is not?

Ok. :

[Mich the Tester]

Laughing at someone's misfortune is OK, but profiting from it is not?

Ok. :

yes

[Sysman]

They are behaving totally logically within our capitalist free market system. If they didn't make the money, then someone else would. The alternative is an alternative system, not for individuals to behave differently. Oh, and punch them - it's the system making you do it and if you didn't, someone else would.

Yes, but the guy shouldn't be openly bragging about it.

That's the offensive bit here.

[SueEllen]

Laughing at someone's misfortune is OK, but profiting from it is not?

Ok. :

Depends on whether you are laughing at them or with them.

I've had close friends who have had serious accidents and illnesses and one of things that made them feel "normal" was people taking the piss out of them as they had that sense of humour.

The Japanese adults I know have a strange sense of humour as well, however I wouldn't dare mention the thread to any Japanese children I've met.

Oh and there is nothing anybody here can do about the nuclear power plant.