A truly inspiring and innovative response to the invasion threat. I'd never heard this story and so glad you shared it. It seems that protecting any investment requires the ability to let go of our attachment to the exact form it takes, whether that is a marriage, one's inner life, or a portfolio. If you love something, set it free. If you value something, let it change.
Thank you Rachel. I read about the scientists a long time ago, and thought, someday I will connect it to the investment of gold when clients start asking about it again. And they have recently. 😵💫
I enjoyed this very much, these smaller stories give so much meaning and humanity to the broader strokes we tend to learn in school. I also found your explanation of the difference of productive assets vs the risks of the non productive investments. These are three Nobel prize winners I will remember!
Leslie, Thank you 🙏 I’m glad you enjoyed it and will remember the Nobel winners, as well as the explanation of productive and non productive assets. I trust you’ve been well. I have some reading to catch up on, including yours. 😊
James, what great writing. Given that the volume on Gold, Silver, and Bitcoin has turned up a lot over the last year +, you writing allowed me to look at them with a completely different perspective! Once again, bravo!!!!
Ken, thank you for taking the time to comment. I’m glad it gave you the perspective it did. I would love to catch up and will call you later this week on a trip to California. I hope you are great!
Warren Buffett also wrote about the importance of productive assets rather than inert assets like gold and silver.
I was reminded of one of the many market crashes that occurred during my years as an investment banker. The managing director with whom I was working noted that if you wanted to see the future of the economy and the market, head to Grand Central and watch the thousands of people racing around to be productive. What you rather own that phenomenon, or some ounces of inert gold?
Buffett also wrote, on many occasions, never bet against America.
Did you know that all of the gold ever produced could fit in an Olympic size swimming pool?
As always, James, you take seemingly disparate subjects and connect them in a way that's informative and engaging. In this case, you had me with the early transition from risky investments to a locale in pre-war Denmark. I didn't know how you'd make the connection, but you did, wonderfully.
Like many of your clients (I imagine), I'd never heard the terms "productive" and "nonproductive assets." That's really critical. I'm currently reviewing my dollars (both of them!!) and looking at what may be an economic bubble. (As always, more to be revealed.)
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go back to my day trading...
Seriously, thank you for an important, wise message shared as an engaging story.
Larry, as always, thanks for reading both the post and what's in between the lines. It is amazing, how effortless a dollar can compound magnificently through time when invested in productive assets. The "effort" isn't in the stock picking and market timing. It's in managing emotions along the way.
Take care pal - I have some reading to catch up on myself - look forward to getting to your FB post. :)
A truly inspiring and innovative response to the invasion threat. I'd never heard this story and so glad you shared it. It seems that protecting any investment requires the ability to let go of our attachment to the exact form it takes, whether that is a marriage, one's inner life, or a portfolio. If you love something, set it free. If you value something, let it change.
Rick, this is so good: “If you love something, set it free. If you value something, let it change.”
Thank you for taking the time to Read at the level of depth you do. 🙏
What a fascinating story, thank you for sharing this. I'll be thinking about the dissolved gold hiding in plain sight for a while!
Thank you Rachel. I read about the scientists a long time ago, and thought, someday I will connect it to the investment of gold when clients start asking about it again. And they have recently. 😵💫
I appreciate you commenting. 🙏
I had never heard about "unmaking gold“ either and couldn’t quite believe it at first – so this definitely made me more alert to James‘s message!
Thank you Brigitte 😊. When I read about this years ago I couldn’t believe it either and was fascinated!
I enjoyed this very much, these smaller stories give so much meaning and humanity to the broader strokes we tend to learn in school. I also found your explanation of the difference of productive assets vs the risks of the non productive investments. These are three Nobel prize winners I will remember!
Leslie, Thank you 🙏 I’m glad you enjoyed it and will remember the Nobel winners, as well as the explanation of productive and non productive assets. I trust you’ve been well. I have some reading to catch up on, including yours. 😊
Beautiful story so filled with hope alongside practical guidance for investing. I choose participation!
Lori, thank you for taking the time to comment. 🙏
You do participate! And impact so many lives! We are all so fortunate!
James, what great writing. Given that the volume on Gold, Silver, and Bitcoin has turned up a lot over the last year +, you writing allowed me to look at them with a completely different perspective! Once again, bravo!!!!
Ken, thank you for taking the time to comment. I’m glad it gave you the perspective it did. I would love to catch up and will call you later this week on a trip to California. I hope you are great!
Warren Buffett also wrote about the importance of productive assets rather than inert assets like gold and silver.
I was reminded of one of the many market crashes that occurred during my years as an investment banker. The managing director with whom I was working noted that if you wanted to see the future of the economy and the market, head to Grand Central and watch the thousands of people racing around to be productive. What you rather own that phenomenon, or some ounces of inert gold?
Buffett also wrote, on many occasions, never bet against America.
Did you know that all of the gold ever produced could fit in an Olympic size swimming pool?
Drake, thank you for the comment. "Inert" - what a perfect adjective - I wish I'd used it. And your metaphor of Grand Central is also perfect!
I had read that about gold at one point in time. Fascinating.
Gold sure has suffered a bloodbath this week.
I hope you've been well.
As always, James, you take seemingly disparate subjects and connect them in a way that's informative and engaging. In this case, you had me with the early transition from risky investments to a locale in pre-war Denmark. I didn't know how you'd make the connection, but you did, wonderfully.
Like many of your clients (I imagine), I'd never heard the terms "productive" and "nonproductive assets." That's really critical. I'm currently reviewing my dollars (both of them!!) and looking at what may be an economic bubble. (As always, more to be revealed.)
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go back to my day trading...
Seriously, thank you for an important, wise message shared as an engaging story.
Larry, as always, thanks for reading both the post and what's in between the lines. It is amazing, how effortless a dollar can compound magnificently through time when invested in productive assets. The "effort" isn't in the stock picking and market timing. It's in managing emotions along the way.
Take care pal - I have some reading to catch up on myself - look forward to getting to your FB post. :)
Oh, I know that feeling. It's so easy to get behind on these Substack essays ... but interacting with the other writers is worth it.
Thanks for the valuable and entertaining piece, James.
Thank you Jack. This one has been milling around in my head for a while. 😬
This was really cool, thanks.
Thank you Henny. I’m glad you thought so and appreciate the comment. 🙏
What an amazing story! I had no idea. Thank you for this!
Bridget, I’m so pleased you liked it! Thank you for taking the time to comment and tell me 🙏.
Not an investor, but I didn’t know the story of the disappearing Nobel medals. That’s fascinating, thanks, James.
Wendy, someday, when you hit the lottery, you won’t be allured by gold. 😊
Thank you for taking the time to comment 🙏.
James, I just loved this, as always you really manage to bring together things that seem totally disconnected.
Emily, thank you! It’s always easier in my mind to bring them together than it is in writing!