Ed Seykota's

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Questions

(Quotes from Ed in Red)

Fri, 24 Feb 2006
 

Results Updates
 
Hi Ed,

I complete the trading systems (Exponential Average and Support-Resistance) successfully. I obtain the same results you post on web.  I try different values too, then compare with the spreadsheet data on

http://www.seykota.com/tribe/TSP/SR/index.htm

Fri, 24 Feb 2006
 

Fred is Powerful

Ed,

I see a new science article about decision making. From its abstract, their results are amazing. These supportive evidences for Fred are very delightful. I kept on wondering why we need a system if we can be totally free of knot.  Thank you for letting me know where I can use the Google search.

From Science, Volume 311, February 2006

Abstract

Contrary to conventional wisdom, it is not always advantageous to engage in thorough conscious deliberation before choosing. 

OK.

The More Important the Choice

(Mate, Career, Avocations)

the more we rely on feeling

and the less we rely on logic.

Clip: http://www.moretimeforyou.com/Choices.jpg

OK.

TTP

It seems to have its ups and downs.

Wed, 22 Feb 2006

Collaboration

Ed,

I have an interest in pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a focus on TTP and the Prevention and Control of Violence. Would you consider collaborating on the project?

Source: http://www.fielding.edu/psy/

Yes.  That sounds like fun.

Taking TTP into Clinical Psychology

might be a little like

taking Libertarianism into government.

Clip: http://www.evms.edu/hlthprof/

Mon, 20 Feb 2006
 

TSP Update

Mon, 20 Feb 2006

Thank you for a nice example of some of the pitfalls of applying the causal model.

Sometimes the Cause of the Problem

is the pants are too small.

Clip: http://oregonstate.edu/~tellerit/

Mon, 20 Feb 2006

Workshop July 21 London

Dear Ed

I am willing to participate in the workshop in London on July 21.
 

Mon, 20 Feb 2006 

Headaches, Backaches etc


Dear Ed,

Yes, many psycho-somatic illnesses such as headaches, backaches, and cramps yield to TTP. 

You might consider taking your aches and pains into TTP as a feelings to explore.  They may transform into AHAs.

Of course, if symptoms persist, consult your physician.

Physicians Tend to Treat Aches and Pains

with prescription remedies.

Clip: http://www.marijuanacannabis.com/

Mon, 20 Feb 2006

Adding to the directory

Hi Ed,

I notice that Jan 26 is the last update of TTP Directory. Can you please include in the directory my name and email address (see FAQ Jan 30 on my request to start a tribe)? Thanks.

Thank you for sharing your process.

Accomplishment

is often a matter

of peeling off

whatever is standing between you

and success.

Clip: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/

Sun, 19 Feb 2006

Private Property Rule

Dear Ed,

From your experience, do you find it confusing with the kids if one implements the PPR AND other rules together? Or does it better help the kid to deal with the complications in the real-world?

For example, the father buys the son the video game that the son craves for. Under PPR, the son is the sole owner of the game, and he can do whatever he wants with it.

Under PPR (Private Property Rules) , the father gives the toy with no strings.

He also tells his son his feelings about addictions, perhaps even sharing some insight about how he, himself, deals with his own addictions.

In TTP, an Addiction is a Combination

of a behavior and a judgment

about the behavior.

Another name for addiction

is k-not.

Clip: http://www.sboyce.freeserve.co.uk/Comedy/

Sun, 19 Feb 2006
 

EGHT shows many breakouts during its ascension in late 2003.  One of them falls on 8/8.  The a postiori chance of this occurring  is 100%.

If You Google Eight

and go the eighth page

and to the eighth picture

you get the Tarot Card:

VIII of Swords

The chance of this happening this time

is 100%

Sun, 19 Feb 2006

Great Photo

here's a great photo to use on FAQs -- as soon as someone writes in that they are concerned that their best friend doesn't REALLY support them and their process ...

The VP and Friends

Gun Control means:  Hit the Target.

Shotguns Don't Cause Injuries

Injuries are a result of the intentions

of both the shooter and the shoot-ee

to send and receive

at the same time and place.

Clip: http://www.strangepolice.com/images/

Sat, 18 Feb 2006

Hotseat

 

Snapshot Process

Ed,

Our recent tribe meeting began with the snapshot review in which each member presented her or his snapshot, followed by a “critique” of the snapshot by the other members in turn. The presenting member makes notes on the feedback received from the other members, then reports what she or he heard, without justifying or commenting on any of the critique. If anything important was “missed” or “omitted” that point is reiterated. We have found that “omitted” issues may be significant entry points for TTP.

After every member has presented his snapshot and reported on the critique, we take a ten minute break during which time the snapshots are modified to encompass changes suggested by the tribe. A second round of presentations and critiques then commences. Following this round, further changes may be made. Then, we have a “Champion Round” in which each member quickly presents her snapshot, hands the snapshot to the person next to her, and each member in turn presents the first member’s snapshot, champions it, as if it were his own.

Critiques may include issues of the actual picture such as who, what, where, and what those imply, but also the feeling of the presentation such as confidence or lack thereof, fear, embarrassment, lack of eye contact, mannerisms (possible forms), etc. The feelings that the presenter produces in the other tribe members can be important.

Through the snapshot process, an important issue may be clarified. The wisdom of the group allows the presenter to “see around” knots. This may allow the member to understand a larger, more important and profound issue. The question, “What is standing between you and your snapshot?” may bring insight, or produce feelings which serve as entry points for TTP.

By this process of clarifying our intentions, and by learning to be willing to experience the feelings our subconscious wants us to feel, through TTP, our snapshots come true. Results = Intentions.

In my own search for my path to right livelihood, I focus on what is standing between me as I am now and me as a more loving and generous person.  I evolve in a direction my heart knows is good. In this snapshot I receive another person’s feelings.

Receiving is loving kindness and compassion.  During the process vague feelings of inadequacy come up which I take to  the hotseat in the Tribe meeting later that evening. Other similar feelings arise from episodes in which my teachers or bosses have criticized my behavior and produce a tightness in my chest.

My arms flex and extend and my hands shake. My torso flexes and extends. The Tribe encourages me to amplify the forms with vocal sounds and words, and with drumming. The process manager (PM) asks me to freeze at the maximum feeling point, and to stay with that feeling for longer than possible. I hold my breath and glide down an uncertain tunnel with the feeling. I want to quit, to breath, but I hear the tribe’s encouragement, through the trance, and I continue sliding, gliding. At first it is painful and scary, but after a moment, it is less so.

Thank you for sharing your process - and for your clear exposition of the Snapshot Process.

Life at the Zero Point

is a laughing matter.

Clip: http://www.jockmcdonald.com/images/stock/

location/kids/medium/laugh.jpg

Sat, 18 Feb 2006
 

Thank you for sharing your process.  Your insights may give you compassion for others who are trying to do it all by themselves.

Growth Begins

with the realization

that we all need each other.

Sat, 18 Feb 2006

Experiencing Quantum Mechanics

Heisenberg in a 1927 paper, wrote a popular paper with the title, "On the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics," where he described his break-through in the interpretation of the theory as follows:

It seems to be a general law of nature that we cannot determine position and velocity simultaneously with arbitrary accuracy.

TTP, like other forms of science, is empirical. It flows from direct experience.

This Model of an Atom is Non-Empirical

follows from the way planets

orbit around the sun.

It does not follow from

direct observations of electrons

orbiting around a nucleus.

Fri, 17 Feb 2006

I find everyone I meet to be remarkable - and I make a lot of remarks to prove it.

Children Are Wise

They Know What They Want

and generally go for it.

Adults learn to tie up their feelings

in k-nots.

CLip: http://www.nature.com/news/2001/010906/

Fri, 17 Feb 2006
 

Fear of Alligators

Hi Chief,

Again last night another hotseat experience. Thanks to you and the Tribe for the opportunity and support.

Per your request, I write to share my experience for others.

During the last two weeks between Tribe meetings, I have several episodes of being afraid and then not sleeping well. One of these fears, I take as an entry point for the hotseat (a fear of encountering alligators during an upcoming vacation to the Everglades).

I experience rapid heart rate (almost breathless), and recall hitting the alligator by flailing my arms. (Thanks for checking that there are no existing heart problems that I know of -- this technique may be of value to others to do as well).

In freezing the action at some point and with the rhythmic beating of the drums, I take a journey into what feels and smells like a jungle. The drum beat carries me along. After several goes at this, I feel relaxed and then, even when flapping my arms, I notice my heart rate noticeably slows.

Eventually, I recall tight fists, flapping arms and laughing as both light and fluid fly out of my kneecaps. Yep -- strange -- I feel good but I do laugh as this strikes me as very funny. I enjoy this mental picture now as I write. This hotseat example of dealing with fear is very specific but I know the benefits of my hotseat experiences always go beyond what I think I am dealing with.

I know I am different. I feel differently. Last night I sleep well and enjoy joking about alligators when I get up. Today, in driving down a snowy mountain road that creates fear in the past, my heart rate stays steady and I do not feel tense in my hands around the steering wheel.

Today, I take this trip and I use the fear to take my time. I enjoy the experience and beauty of the trip. I do not realize all this until about half-way down. I just smile and reflect on alligators.

Thank you for sharing your process.

If Alligators Were Afraid of Alligators

we'd soon run out of Alligators.

Clip: http://www.tnaqua.org/Newsroom/

HighRes/alligators.jpg

Fri, 17 Feb 2006
 

Angular Momentum

Hi Ed,

I asked a close friend of mine who is a brilliant materials science engineer at Wright Patterson Air Force Research Labs to look at your radial momentum site. He did a quick overview and had this to say. Is he missing your point, or does he need to dig deeper to understand the work?

-----

Angular Momentum IS how you compute Lift and any similar Fluid Mechanics problem. The Basic Wing design is not curved / flat. it is actually very symmetric and lift depends on the angle of attack (transfer of momentum). That is AERO 101. When solving the Navier-Stokes Equations he talks of for boundary problems, I believe both momentum and Bernoulli's terms appear as two of the many terms. a lot are "factors" such as the Reynolds number, which have other meanings.

I'm looking into it some more, for my own calculations on wind resistance and surface forces/resonance on objects. Though, I'm not sure why he has such a big problem with Bernoulli, that would be like knocking Newton b/c Quantum theory does more.

We'd have kids who just grasped geometry solving trajectory problems it terms of "probability" and having them solve differential equations with Hamiltonian operators, when F=MA works for a first approximately
but I'm pretty sure the 3rd chapter (control volumes) of any fluid mechanics book will go into what he wants. unless I'm missing his point. I only skimmed his webpage.

Most people think that you can't have kids set up the boundary conditions and solve the nasty differentials needed to get to the right answer, so you "pad" the answer to one part of it that is the simplest term for the simplest case.

He need not worry, the Aero Engineers have some fairly sweet models (analytical and numerical) that go a bit beyond the Bernoulli Term, even into compressible flow and Mach #'s.

I wish someone would have told me the entire reason as a child, but most kids don't even understand the basics. if a kid asks you why the sky is blue and sunsets red. are you going to explain the (1/lambda)^4 factor in electromagnetic scattering theory. I am.

The concept is a new and radical approach to explaining and computing lift. 

For example, Your brilliant scientist friend somehow converts the words Radial Momentum into the familiar phrase Angular Momentum.

Angular momentum is spinning momentum, the kind that keeps a top spinning - whereas  Radial Momentum is the momentum of expansion (or contraction) that nicely accounts for changes in density, hence pressure.

Bernoulli's equation is indeed valid.  My claim is that Physicists mis-apply it to explain lift.

Similarly, a wagon wheel is a valid device - it just does not apply very well to combing your hair.

For more on RM, see www.seykota.com .

A Wagon Wheel

is great for supporting a wagon

and not so hot

for combing your hair.

Bernoulli's Equation

is great for figuring the pressure

in the bottom of a swimming pool

and not so hot

for explaining lift.

Clip: http://www.hydrosapien.com/

assets/images/Wagon%20Wheel.jpg

Clip: http://www.princeton.edu/~asmits/

Fri, 17 Feb 2006
 

King Kanut


Hi Ed,
 

King Canute is famous for commanding his servants to stay still and then trying to command the ocean to do the same.

He exemplifies people who are unwilling to experience being out of control.

Modern Day Canutes Still Can Not

command the seas

Clip: http://www.baseball.com.au/site/baseball/abf/

Thu, 16 Feb 2006
 

The Power of Fred
 

Trust your gut instinct when those shopping
decisions get tough, say scientists

By Roger Highfield, Science Editor 17/02/2006

Scientists have discovered that the best way to make a decision is to collect the information you need, forget about it, and then trust your instincts to get it right.

This advice comes from a study by researchers at the University of Amsterdam that focused on how people make shopping decisions and what kinds of strategies produce the best buys.

Don't think too hard about major decisions Decisions can be grouped into two basic categories: complex decisions, such as buying a house or a car, and simple decisions, such as choosing a shampoo.

Most people would agonize over the former and scarcely think about the latter, which is precisely the wrong way to do it, according to Prof Ap Dijksterhuis and his colleagues in the magazine Science.

After a series of shopping experiments they conclude that thinking really hard about a decision works well when the decision is simple.
 

But when the decision gets more complicated, focusing all your attention on what to buy isn't usually the best approach.

Participants in the experiment were asked to choose between four different cars, and were given details of 12 attributes including leg room and mileage about each make and model.

The scientists found that people identified the best car around 25 per cent of the time, which was no better than chance. The surprise came when the researchers distracted the participants with puzzles before asking them to make their choices. More than half then managed to pick the best car.

Collecting the relevant information is important, scientists say, but once you've done your homework, forget about the decision for a while.

Prof Dijksterhuis said: "Your brain is capable of juggling lots of facts and possibilities at the same time when you let it work without specifically thinking about the decision. But when you are specifically thinking about a problem, your brain isn't able to weigh up as much information. I sit on things and rely on my gut."

Source:

http://news.telegraph.co.uk/

news/main.jhtml

http://tinyurl.com/dauph

OK.

If You Use Your Gut

as a computer

be sure to check your I/O devices

to prevent overload.

Clip: http://www.eckssaloon.com/images/

beerbelly2.jpg

Thu, 16 Feb 2006

Trading Tribe Workshop

Dear Ed,

Attached are some free scripts I downloaded from
internet( http://www.digitalpoint.com/tools/search 

Thank you for your suggestion.  I now have a Google Site Searcher link, above.

Thu, 16 Feb 2006
 

An Old Friend?

Hello Mr. Seykota,

First off I would like to say your trading ideas are original, and a refreshing change from what's out there in the trading world.  I am looking forward to reading the book.

Recently I was in a trading room and the head trader [Name] said you were an old friend, these are his exact words.

Ed Seykota and myself both started out at [Firm] working for [Name], we were neighbors and friends in California. We trained together in developing market discipline. and I was his broker in the 1970s.

Hmmm ... it doesn't seem to ring a bell.

If You Have Enough Imagination

you can hear it ring.

Clip: http://www.stsaviours.org.uk/images/

Thu, 16 Feb 2006
 

Welcome

Cambridge

UK

Thu, 16 Feb 2006

Trading Question

Mr. Seykota

Thanks for the continued input into the TTP cause.

I look forward to reading updates of FAQ and find them so uplifting in the feelings they stimulate in my brain it’s a kin to going on holiday or hearing an inspirational song or anything else that can help you take stock and see a better path ahead. It must be the sense of shared experiences from FAQ that gives it it’s worth.

Aside from TTP I have a more trading based question to ask you.

I have plotted my rolling profit and loss on my account since day one of trading some six years ago. I notice that it is a chart like any other and one that perhaps a trend that can be followed.

Would it be consistent with trend following to ‘buy’ the breakouts of my own trend, perhaps by increase trade size within the money management rules when these occur and similarly to trade smaller when they appear to be false breakouts or when the uptrend breaks?


I guess the logical solution is yes it’s a trend, I’ve not tried to engineer it over six years, it’s just happened, resistance and support lines can be drawn and targets and stops projected as easily as if it were any financial instrument.


I find it hard to get my head around this as it’s a little abstract to me and would be interested for you opinion to be posted on FAQ to see if it something that other people have a strong feeling about.


To bring this idea more in to focus, In my case it’s a downtrend. I reach a cross roads where I can’t submit to it and I have to end it. I can’t be a trend follower and stay solvent in the real world.


What would you see as being the logical conclusion to this idea. (I respect FAQ don’t tell people what to do) if my personal trend is down do I accept it or fight it?


It seems to be me I have to go with the trend (markets) to break the trend (me)

You might consider taking your feelings of decline, falling, losing to the hot seat.

You might consider back-testing your system to see if (1) your model is profitable and (2) if you are following a system at all.

One Positive Intention of Falling

is that you quickly get

to the bottom of things.

Wed, 15 Feb 2006
 

Thank you for your kind offer.  I am currently perfecting my style.

The Horizontal Snow-Wipe

... a maneuver for those

with more courage than skill.

Clip: http://www.mediumdose.com/images/

Wed, 15 Feb 2006

Before Defense Imagination

Hello Ed,

I am sharing an experience I had after my last tribe meeting.
 

In tribe I draw a couple of snapshots and work the process on one. My breakthrough comes as I am in a form expressing defensiveness in the face of anger.

What I realize is that angry people are often in pain themselves--or sick, tired, overworked, stressed etc. I realize my defensiveness is an inappropriate response to what is going on with them and only drives them further into their anger.

It is counterproductive. I realize that is also the case with most emotions that arouse my defensive posture -- criticism, blame, contempt etc. Though I'm not sure what to do with this information yet, I sense that an important first step has been made.
 

The next day at work I meet an elderly gentleman who is being discharged from our facility to a nursing home. He needs a central IV line and I am called in to consult on this. He has dementia and babbles. His daughter is at the bedside. As I enter the room and introduce myself and my intention he fixes his gaze on me and says "before defense imagination"!

I'm not sure what this means so I look to his daughter for an explanation. She explains that her father verbalizes little snippets from past learning over and over (a phenomenon we call perseveration). It is symptomatic of his organic brain disease--and not uncommon.

Since this current statement does not seem to make much sense, she tries to redirect him to something else -- the Gettysburg Address "fourscore and seven years ago ..." "before defense imagination" he replies. She tries Walt Whitman ... "before defense imagination" he says, never taking his gaze off me. For the next hour he repeats this statement over and over -- staring at me each time. After finishing with him I wonder if this is some kind of military objective or a line from a military manual. I wonder about the origins of this statement.
 

I go back to my office and Google the words. No luck. As I am typing the words in on Google, it occurs to me: before defense - comma - imagination! A HA! Before you use defense, use your imagination! Try to IMAGINE what the other person is really trying to say to you. I immediately realize that this man was speaking TO ME.
 

I'm still not sure what to do with all this, but I am researching different forms of communication styles, observing the way I speak and respond to others. The results are mixed, but I have no doubt that I am on the right path. It is possible that in two weeks I have made more progress on an issue that has troubled me my whole life than all the therapy, seminars and soul-searching combined. I think TTP opened a door. I have recently heard from a couple of people that I haven't communicated with in some time, and they have commented on the change.

Thank you for sharing your process.

There is Lots of Advice

for those willing to listen.

Clip: http://www.rhinerart.com/images/large/

Wed, 15 Feb 2006
 

Thank you for sharing your process.

The  Contract

 is one of many agreements

along the path to completion.

http://www.triadcomputer.com/

Wed, 15 Feb 2006

Workshop / Tribe Meeting Feedback

Dear Ed,

I arrive at the workshop with enthusiasm.  I sit down, look around and see people who also commit to spend two full days of work.  Some are here from different continents, just for the weekend, some combine the workshop with a vacation.

During the weekend, I realize that just like me, every one present is honest with themselves to accept responsibility for their actions and desire to understand right livelihood.  I assume many are there for trading purposes, but I soon observe that most are there for many other reasons. 

As I listen and participate in TTP, I get my first Aha.  I understand the importance of emotions, that every emotion has a positive intention.  I always say I look for a silver lining in every cloud, but I don’t look for the positive intention of emotions. 

I know I want to be at the workshop.  I listen to the technology presented.  I like it.  Then, I listen some more and I think I am in the wrong place; I think some people around me are just not normal; I am anxious.  Then I like it again and feel a relief.  I get another Aha: this big judge inside of me loves to label.  So I let it be, the judge goes away and I meet great people.

At the TT meeting, I arrive “hot”.  I feel sad, disappointed, angry and I feel sorry for myself.  My relationship is stagnating emotionally, I am not where I want to be.  I feel I’ve been put in a corner, on hold, forgotten and told to take a number and wait.  I want to be close.

I get on the hot seat and get another aha: I like being the victim.  That’s what I am used to.  It must feel good to me, because that is what I do, play the victim.  I attract people who allow me to be the victim.  I put myself in situations where I can be the victim.  Intention = results.  On the hot seat, I experience my feelings, intensify them, ride the wave and feel this big and increasing weight in my stomach.  I then get another aha as I explode in laughter. 

The weight goes away and I’m laughing so hard I’m crying.  I feel really good, extremely relaxed and happy.  Wow! 

The meeting ends and I hear [name] left me a voice message.  We usually don’t talk on TT meeting night since it gets too late.  The next day, during my conversation with [name] and without me saying anything regarding my feelings, [name] apologizes for “being mean” to me.  Wow! 

I feel happy, empowered, responsible and I can effect change by changing myself, not by trying to change others.  I understand “lead by example”.  I read many books on philosophy of life, money, fortune, how to get “there” but not one describes “how”.  The books I read all state similar so-called solutions, i.e. by using emotional energy, power of thought etc., one becomes happy, healthy, rich etc.  But not one author/book demonstrates how. 

Many tout the technique of positive thinking which I now understand as a thin layer covering up one’s emotions and one’s feelings.  The emotions are still there, they are just covered up.  And much like s… (marmite), no matter how thin you spread it, it still tastes like s... (marmite).

After TTP, I feel I have a vulcanization and retread on my brain and now have a new grip on reality. Everything seems to click and move in the direction I want.  I intend & I obtain results. 

I can’t thank you enough Ed for the changes you’ve brought to my life.  If only words could accurately express my gratitude! 

Thank God I have my feelings.

Thank you for sharing your process.

Positive Thinking

can cover up reality

Clip: http://www.ruggedelegantliving.com