Altruistic traders - why?

[notouch]

Here's an issue I was pondering because this forum is full of helpful traders (including myself at times). Why would any trader help another trader? Futures trading is a zero sum game which means if you help other traders it's going to make it more difficult for you to make profit. The guy you helped may be on the other side of your trade taking your money the next day. I thought maybe it's just our natural inclination to help others we feel we can relate to (altruism) but then how is it altruistic to help one trader make money off of another trader? My conclusion was that it's similar to the old story of the lion with the thorn in his paw. We're hoping that if we help someone out today, that person will be helping us out another day.

[walterw]

Not exactly Notouch... if 100 traders would do what you do still they will not hurt your bussiness (markets are too big)... even most probably they will help you (more liquidity on your side)....

Posting is a way of teaching... and when you teach you are the first to learn more, it is a process that helps you put out what you have inside and its dificult for yourself to understand, when you start sharing, it starts to get more clear to you what before was unclear...

On the other hand when interaction starts, you see that your followers start to show you things you would never see, and grow thanks to their inputs...

Collaboration its a great way to grow... and yes you have to be some how generous... but obviously you will be the most benefited...

Some years ago a man/God said : "it is more blessed to give than to receive"... cheers Walter.

[thetradingdoctor]

There are two schools ( probably more!) of thought about this. For my part, I have had a trading partner for the past 10 years. I like trading with this person and I trust him. Others like to trade in large ( or small) trading groups, as it gives them a sense of belonging and helps with the isolation that so many traders feel. Trading really can be a lonely profession and many are cut out to go it alone. For the others, there is something that feels good about working with one or more people that you can trust, sharing ideas and making money. Whatever works best for you in terms of being consistently profitable is, in my opinion, the best way for you. Each of us finds his or her own way in the markets. If you are going to get a partner or partners, make your choices carefully.

Thanks!
Doctor Janice

[TinGull]

I just think it's good ethics to help, no matter what the circumstances.

[cooter]

Ethics aside, it's also good business sense to help out like-minded people. You never know when you'll need their help. When everyone prospers, you will too.

[Soultrader]

I agree, there is so much to learn through sharing and receiving feedback. You constantly want to improve yourself when you are put in a situation of helping and sharing.

[notouch]

I don't believe it's good ethics because you're just helping one trader take profits from another trader. The other points I agree with. We help others to help ourselves. We learn and grow from helping others. Discussing set-ups and strategies helps clarify things in your own mind and you learn new things from others.

[TinGull]

"Helping" is what Im talking about. In anything. I dont care what the matter at hand is. If you think about it, whenever you're helping someone, you're always helping them get an advantage over someone else, aren't you? If you're a teacher at a cooking school...you're helping students get a job that someone else who didn't go to the school might not be able to get.

My point is, helping is good, no matter what. If you don't feel that helping is the right thing to do, then so be it. You just won't be the kind of person I would ever want to converse with.

[notouch]

Geez man relax. A lot of your posts seems to be personal attacks against me.

[cooter]

	Quote:	notouch
	Geez man relax. A lot of your posts seems to be personal attacks against me.

Is there a Doctor in the House to mediate this?

LOL