[traviskicks]

It has also been proven, mathetmatically, that investing in index funds is better than trying to play around in the market. Stock brokers and fund managers, besides those that use 'market tricks' (complex computer programs that exploit very small differences by using large funds), are generally all marketing a useless product... :)

Interesting about emotions, ties in with Ayn Rand objectivism and also a good deal of Eastern (meditative) thought.

[Somewhat Centrist]

It has also been proven, mathetmatically, that investing in index funds is better than trying to play around in the market. Stock brokers and fund managers, besides those that use 'market tricks' (complex computer programs that exploit very small differences by using large funds), are generally all marketing a useless product... :)

You are mistaken, put a bit of effort into researching various active investment funds, and you should be able to identify brokers who beat the market quite consistently. Buying such funds randomly is of course plain stupid.