Daily Speculations The Web Site of Victor Niederhoffer & Laurel Kenner Dedicated to the scientific method, free markets, deflating ballyhoo, creating value, and laughter;  a forum for us to use our meager abilities to make the world of specinvestments a better place.

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9/7/04
Romance and Markets by Pam Van Giessen

(in response to Mr E.'s quote "women generally are afraid of the unknown...they haven't been exposed to using the net and like most women are scared by the stories...which are usually the exception rather than the rule"):

As an equal opportunity smasher of fallacies, I must point out that my beloved E is wrong, at least on the use of the 'net by women. According to several recent surveys and studies (including one posted on the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta site), there is little difference between men and women re internet usage. During the mid-1990s, men used the 'net more than women but by 2000, women had caught up though the frequency and amount of use did differ (could the time difference be attributed to porn viewing or games?). As one might imagine, women are big internet shoppers (thus fulfilling at least one stereotype). One study by Nielson suggests that more women will be using the internet than men by 2005. Additionally, online usage between the genders lessens the younger the user.

The reluctance of women to use the internet for romance is likely pragmatic and fear-based -- not so much of the unknown but a very reality-based view that we are the weaker sex and it is much easier for a man to take advantage. Women are big on references, hence the pragmatic approach. Whether accurate or not, women like the idea of having their paramours vetted by friends and/or family as opposed to a computer. How do I know this? A number of my female friends have been getting their toes wet with online dating and it has been scary going for them, particularly the older they are. These are also women who would never, in a million years, have participated in classified advertising avenues.

So how does this pertain to trading? A lesson in getting the most recent statistics and making sure one isn't relying on a dated worldview.