Geeks and FX | Forex Factory

Options

Go to
Permalinks
Print Thread

Geeks and FX

  • #1
  • First Post: Sep 3, 2010 2:04pm Sep 3, 2010 2:04pm
Just wondering why there are many people in forex who work or work(ed) for IT department or in computer field? Is it because they are bored with it?

Ps. I'm currently studying computer science.
  • #2
  • Sep 3, 2010 3:53pm Sep 3, 2010 3:53pm
Quoting google
Just wondering why there are many people in forex who work or work(ed) for IT
Are there statistics about the previous life job distributions somewhere?
  • #3
  • Sep 3, 2010 4:01pm Sep 3, 2010 4:01pm
Quoting google
Just wondering why there are many people in forex who work or work(ed) for IT department or in computer field? Is it because they are bored with it?

Ps. I'm currently studying computer science.
There does seem to be a fair bit of that about, I don't think it is because IT is boring in itself, but if you do anything for long enough, it gets boring. Even though there is (was) a bit of money in IT you realize after a while that to get to the next level you really need to be your own boss, naturally programmers will cast around for things which they can apply there existing skills too. One could start some type of software company, but that brings all the 'dealing with people' pitfalls, trading seems somewhat more autonomous.
The breaking of a wave cannot explain the whole sea.
  • #4
  • Sep 3, 2010 4:05pm Sep 3, 2010 4:05pm
7bit, I don't know about statistics but reading alot of forums and I saw that many people are or were in that field.
  • #5
  • Sep 3, 2010 5:24pm Sep 3, 2010 5:24pm
Well, i'm an IT professional and i've been studying forex for 2 years now....

I love technical analisys.... and i never get tired of reading books or learning anything about fx...
  • #6
  • Sep 3, 2010 11:53pm Sep 3, 2010 11:53pm
I think trading tends to attract people who enjoy problem solving, and who have strong analytical skills. This also applies to most computer related fields.
  • #7
  • Sep 4, 2010 7:24am Sep 4, 2010 7:24am
Quoting Aldente
I think trading tends to attract people who enjoy problem solving, and who have strong analytical skills. This also applies to most computer related fields.
i just wanted to post the same reply im in IT myself, and most people in this field are great analytical thinkers (or are at least used to it), so they are naturally attracted to trading. at least thats my experience
Patience is key.
  • #8
  • Sep 4, 2010 8:20am Sep 4, 2010 8:20am
Also a geek here. I love the challenge of it. Where else can you get such a complex system to study with so much data?

After spending 20 years programming, I was bored with that and sick of working for the man. Trading is one way I can use my analytic and quantitative skills doing something for myself and something I enjoy very much.

I spend a lot of time programming and backtesting systems because I just really have a good time doing it.
  • #9
  • Sep 21, 2010 5:24am Sep 21, 2010 5:24am
Agreed. They are problem solvers and like the analytical approach.

It is also easier for them when transferring things like programming. At the very least, if they end up giving up trading, they can make a good living at programming and coding.
  • #10
  • Sep 21, 2010 5:50am Sep 21, 2010 5:50am
Well, it's pretty obvious. Their whole life revolve around a computer. They work on a computer. They play on a computer. They 'have' sex with a computer (watching porn). They relax with a computer, and even sleep beside a computer.

They don't have a real life. They don't have a girlfriends. They're fat and ugly. And they never got laid.

Oh, by the way - they play World of Warcraft.

So.....when they need to make some more many on the side - what are they supposed to do? Yes, you're right. The same thing as always. The thing which always work for them.

Turn on a computer.

Computers gives them occupation, pleasure....and now - money!

Geeks...geeks never change.
  • #11
  • Sep 21, 2010 6:27am Sep 21, 2010 6:27am
Quoting T.E.Lawrence
Well, it's pretty obvious. Their whole life revolve around a computer. They work on a computer. They play on a computer. They 'have' sex with a computer (watching porn). They relax with a computer, and even sleep beside a computer.

They don't have a real life. They don't have a girlfriends. They're fat and ugly. And they never got laid.

Oh, by the way - they play World of Warcraft.

So.....when they need to make some more many on the side - what are they supposed to do? Yes, you're right. The same thing as always. The thing which always work...
Wow... I work for a software company and while there is one person here who sort of fits your description, most people here (including developers and testers etc) are normal people with normal lives and some are the complete opposite of what you describe above. For a lot of people this is a j.o.b., not a "way of life".
  • #12
  • Sep 21, 2010 7:05am Sep 21, 2010 7:05am
Quoting eurotrash
this is a j.o.b., not a "way of life".
Then they are not Geeks by definition and also most likely not extremely good programmers.
  • #13
  • Sep 21, 2010 8:06am Sep 21, 2010 8:06am
Quoting 7bit
Then they are not Geeks by definition and also most likely not extremely good programmers.
OP's definition of geek: "people... who work or work(ed) for IT department or in computer field".
  • #14
  • Sep 21, 2010 8:25am Sep 21, 2010 8:25am
Quoting eurotrash
OP's definition of geek: "people... who work or work(ed) for IT department or in computer field".
This definition is of course wrong. It would destroy all the clichés on whose establishment we geeks have been working so hard. :nerd:
  • #15
  • Sep 21, 2010 12:24pm Sep 21, 2010 12:24pm
  •  Czech
  • | Joined Feb 2010 | Status: You Don't Know What You Don't Know | 111 Posts
I think its a confirmation bias aside from "Platform tech" for reasons mentioned. I noticed most people don't mention what they do for a living.

edit: i personally think there are more people with financial background trading fx here. But again, attribute that to confirmation bias.
  • #16
  • Sep 22, 2010 4:10am Sep 22, 2010 4:10am
Quoting eurotrash
Wow... I work for a software company and while there is one person here who sort of fits your description, most people here (including developers and testers etc) are normal people with normal lives and some are the complete opposite of what you describe above. For a lot of people this is a j.o.b., not a "way of life".
Whoooosh!

I agree with those who think it's incorrect to conclude there's a large IT base here.

Quoting google
7bit, I don't know about statistics but reading alot of forums and I saw that many people are or were in that field.
Like finance, it's a big field. I wouldn't be surprised if IT represented a larger than expected portion of retail systematic traders, but I would be surprised if they performed much better than average. I see a lot of potential traps in the mindset stated in this thread.
  • #17
  • Sep 23, 2010 10:27am Sep 23, 2010 10:27am
I think it's true what people say about programmers using their analytical skills, etc. On the other hand to some of us it's a tedious job that we're anxious to get out of, and since we're good with computers, trading is something that springs to mind ....
  • #18
  • Sep 28, 2010 7:21pm Sep 28, 2010 7:21pm
google u have lot to learn about forex
watch this documentary on how geeks and computer scientists created trading systems
Inserted Video
  • #19
  • Sep 28, 2010 8:28pm Sep 28, 2010 8:28pm
Quoting T.E.Lawrence
Well, it's pretty obvious. Their whole life revolve around a computer. They work on a computer. They play on a computer. They 'have' sex with a computer (watching porn). They relax with a computer, and even sleep beside a computer.

They don't have a real life. They don't have a girlfriends. They're fat and ugly. And they never got laid.

Oh, by the way - they play World of Warcraft.

So.....when they need to make some more many on the side - what are they supposed to do? Yes, you're right. The same thing as always. The thing which always work...


Rough divorce was it?
  • #20
  • Oct 2, 2010 1:56am Oct 2, 2010 1:56am
Great video! Thanks Dragan.
0 traders viewing now