to Scardey (OTT on Deleted thread)20 Jun 2021 10:30
Scardey, thanks for taking the time to post back a thoughtful rebuttal of my er... rebuttal... :0)
I guess the first thing is, I can't say (and nor can you), if my or any posts here, influence anybody. We have to make assumptions. Your reasoned view is that it does, even if its in a small way. (Lets assume I agree based on some posts get recs which is an indication of agreement), my point is its makes no difference to the SP so ultimately, as that's all we care about, these posts of all stripes, have no influence.
I'm not an expert in the the psychological triggers of advertising, but we are maybe looking at the same thing differently.
You use "Flight or Fight" as a reaction to "negative posts" I prefer "Fear and Greed". I would suggest your basis is a much more fundamental reaction to actual physical, potential harm and much more basic where my mine is not. (You can't be fearful of losing money unless you have money, however it was obtained, which suggests for most its not as a basic reaction as you are suggesting. In other words its not life and death but it is important).
Many of my posts have reiterated this point. Don't get emotional, go into every trade (even if its long term buy and hold), with some sort of plan, (ie when to buy and when to sell), don't over commit funds, only bet what you can afford, comfortably, to lose).
Apply those basic oft repeated rules and almost all the angst of any shareholding is removed whatever system is employed.
And that's important because, someone might read a more (I am going to use your word), negative post or scenario, and if they have obeyed the "rules" they can be rationally objective about the comments and decide if they have merit or not. If they are over committed then the emotional reaction will be immediately to denounce the post and to get others validation to support their view, because failure would emotionally and also financially, be harmful.
However, I can't know but I think some or maybe many here are over committed and although COULD afford to lose their stake (or a large %, say 50%) in the sense it would not ruin their lives, would still be extremely painful.
Most of my posts are not written in a negative way actually, simply not as enthusiastic as the general concensus here and that triggers the (what I think) are over-the-top reactions to them. You will , no doubt have your personal favourite's of mine that you vehemently disagreed with, but I think my theme over the last 6 months has largely been, its going to be longer than the majority here think, before we get a test out, and its going to be at reduced numbers due to improvements in treatments and the overall length of time mass testing will be required is not years and years etc.
My "comfort" caveats have always been, quite rationally, if there is new info that alters my view then I will change it. Ie, a variant evades vaccine efficacy, or a new strain that is more harmful for instance.