I think the whole subject area depends on the level/ability of the trader. 'Feel' that has been developed by going down the correct path will be different to someone who feels trades based on no understanding.
The difference cannot be properly appreciated until one has personal experience of being both a novice and a more experienced trader who over years of practicing the correct approach can really feel the market. So the bigger question is perhaps what individual qualities (or alternatively lack of qualities) stop most people from either reasoning out the right path for themselves or recognising the correct approach if it is pointed out by another?
Without addressing this question, you are perhaps trying to illustrate a profound difference in approach and consequent difference in results which cannot be comprehended by the audience.
So a question for people:
If you take a trade, and have a target of 30 points, and you have an educated expectation that this will take about an hour to play out, what happens if;
the price moves 22 points in your favour in the 1st 10 mins? How does this affect your trade? Do you just sit in it, waiting for 30 points? Do you even consider the effect of time in the trade? What information would you use to justify staying in the trade? Indeed, are you even asking any questions?
Lots to be learnt from this tiny 1 trade scenario
So many appear not to consider time in their trading, but likely are actually using time as part of their decision making without being aware of it. (and not necessarily to their advantage) Again, the question really is about awareness.
It is almost for granted that very few people would be capable of even starting to ask the right questions themselves. Even then it takes years of sustained effort which sadly seems to be beyond most people.
I am fortunate to have been the beneficiary of the charity of a true top level expert trader and without this I would have succumbed to being part of the food chain and ultimately given up in frustration and defeat. I certainly wasn't creative, introspective, or self aware enough to self generate any of the correct lines of questioning and would not have persisted with the endeavor without being shown what was possible at the highest levels which has always given me great motivation and energy.
What I did have was the ability to be open to new information and gratitude for what was shared with me, and a sense of duty to myself and others to try my best to maximise the advantages I'd been given. So many others had the same opportunity and appeared not to appreciate it or really make the lessons a fundamental part of their lives.
What I still find sad is the people who will not hear, do not want to learn, shut themselves off from any opportunity through stubborn pride and sloth. I am resigned to this being part of the human condition: attitudes summed up in Matt 13:15
"For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."
The markets provide an endless flow of opportunity. If people would commit to seeking the truth about them selves first and the markets second, and cast aside any sloth and destructive pride based motives, comparisons with others, and just try and do the best they can, they'd at least have a chance.
Many may enter a market at discretion, but once in a trade they slip back into reactive mechanical rule based mode, which as can be seen from the above example will hinder long term results.
Is the result of taking a trade without any comprehension of what is occurring to create a trade opportunity and therefore how the trade should develop. How to convince people that this level is a) beneficial and b) possible. From personal experience, developing consistently accurate expectations and therefore reading when the market gives information that a trade needs to be exited sooner (or later) than originally planned took years even after being shown how and why in the first place.
Learning to do this properly means that trade selection and management evolves to the point of being able to profit on or scratch nearly all trades entered - the vast majority moving in your favour within less than a few minutes and with enough understanding and experience to reconise quickly when it is time to exit.
I'm pleased you're carrying on the good fight here - it is appreciated more than you know. There will be other people who grab the opportunity and run with it when given a nudge or two. Perhaps members should take more note of your posts and address the questions you are asking rather than regurgitating "common knowledge" about IBs, bots, HFT, etc. Which leads to another personal quality: insecurity, needing to know or pretend to know to give some comfort, as it is unacceptable to the self to admit ignorance. We all had to start somewhere - and being honest about where you are and what you do not (yet) know is a good place to start.
Back into hibernation for another 5 years. Continued success to you all!
