The Question of Value Investing

In our efforts to escape the stringencies of lean purses, we sometimes take upon ourselves the task of making ‘investments’. However, in our doing so, we often make many misjudgements, which almost all the time result in painful losses.

But in a labour market that rewards expedience and recognises vigour not verity or virtue; in a global market place that tolerates not a moment of vacillation, what could be more exigent than the avoidance of vicissitudes brought on by non-viable value determinations?

Now, how are we to determine value in realms of speculation? What are we ought to consider aside from the merits of any given proposition, its problem-solution, the market size, supply and demand, market cycles and forces of timing and sentiment, risks and rates of return? What should we pay attention to outside the ambient?

Imagination is Enterprise

The Nature of Odds

be strategic with asset selection

and smart about how you position yourself in a market cycle

because riskier assets can’t be counted on for greater returns

as the contrary view naturally invalidates the higher risk claim

but remember, most assets can become cheap enough to be decent investments

on the other hand, they can also become so expensive that they turn into bad ones

which is why the prevailing wisdom is ‘buy the bottom and sell the top’

to achieve this in practice however, requires not only a selection of the right assets

but an emotionally stable disposition for appropriate and timely execution

although doing so doesn’t guarantee the odds will be in one’s favour

for if the future could be predicted

then there’d be no risk factor

so acknowledge what you don’t know

and recognise that no advantage can give full market control

that way you’ll understand without bias

the true nature of odds

Games of Chance & Lessons on Luck

A battle easily won
Or gains effortlessly gotten
Will inevitably make one spoiled rotten

And to harvest without labour
Or hold post without tenure
Is like finding fortune without preparation for its reception

So to risk what is one’s own
In order to gain what is another’s
Is a will-o’-the-wisp and the mark of a gambler

All things considered, a result of the subjective value placed on random outcomes or what we call luck
Is different from the objective reality of the unpredictable manifestations which we call chance
Still, luck is but chance seen through the lense of a good or bad end

Capital Class

be a possessor of capital
for only then is advantage granted at almost every turn

venture into business
accept the losses
appreciate the gains
outperform the competition
do all that you can

and with that I’m saying
our many wants
and several tastes
all require large amounts
of money or cash

therefore, whosoever has the wealth
in forms others desire
can dictate what their dreams are worth
such is its immense power
such is its strength

for with it, thoughts can be converted to reality
indulgence afforded
and achievement promoted

Sketch for a Theory of Persistent Passions (iv)

Work more and worry less
For in waters below lies the treasure chest

Although nothing is sacrosanct in the face of change
As you evolve, always give history and precedent its deserving acknowledgement

Think more and talk less
For to commit with the tongue first, before you thoughtfully assess, can result in mistakes and regrets

Remember, nothing maintains permanence, not even fact
And without passionate conviction, a truth established, can never set

On Priorities & Progress

precedents are always worthy of study
but nothing beats originality
as long as it is effective in expression and impression
for then it has the power to attract attention

—

the setting of priorities
is in practice part and parcel of achieving a balanced bias
like perfecting the parlance which will appeal to the persons
before whom you shall pitch or proselytize

—

progress implies
being prepared to put aside yesterday’s pride
and accepting fresh findings
brought ashore by the morning tide