Unfortunately the default human behaviour of being consumed with irrationality is common. In markets this leads to a range of inane behaviours but one which seems to be running rampant at present is the various conspiracy theories running around the market. Everything from the new Prime Minister of Italy being a Goldman Sachs plant to the massive derivatives exposure of various firms being a Zionist plot. Generally these theories are the preserve of the peanut and the right wing dickhead. Neither are overly blessed with with either brain power or common sense.
To consider how stupid conspiracy theories are consider this one from history concerning what has become known as the unbrella man. The umbrella man is a figure standing beside JFK’s motorcade as he is assassinated. All sorts of nonsense surrounded the umbrella man until he finally came forward. The truth is much stranger than fiction but considerably less exciting.
