Wednesday, August 20, 1997
Sensibility and
Suitability
by
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As a volunteer at a local community theater, it struck me recently how much my involvement there is like Foolish investing. I work on the design and construction of settings and lighting. In designing for a theater production, one of the things I keep in mind is "sensibility and suitability."
An audience will see a particular scene for as much as an hour or two at a time. Although we may hope they are watching the show, there will be times when their attention is drawn to the set, and they will mentally scrutinize it, determining in their own minds if the surroundings we've placed the characters in "make sense" and are "suitable." If things don't look right, they are distracted and they may not enjoy the performance.
Providing the appropriate locale for the characters promotes the illusion of the performance. The lighting must be right -- bright for daytime scenes, subdued for nighttime. Everything has to fit together to present the proper picture to the audience, but then it must remain in the background as they concentrate on the show.
I find Foolish investing works much the same way. First, a person determines if a strategy like the Foolish Four is suitable and sensible for his needs. Then, once a year (or every eighteen months) the Fool checks the Dow. The curtain rises to reveal the four stocks that will comprise the portfolio. He becomes amazed and awed by the initial presentation. He makes the purchase, then forgets about it and concentrates on enjoying life. Remember, the show must go on! .