the best of clarkkent

Originally posted November 8, 2006 on the GDN thread

'The 10 stages of a Hotcopper fantasy stock'

1. Dormant explorer quietly acquires exploration tenement in an unheard of part of the world
2. Intention to drill the 'hottest' commodity of the day is announced to the market
3. Investors undertake a quick geography lesson on Whereis. Tenement located on Google Earth
4. Messianic posters appear on Hotcopper extolling the virtues of this 'sure-fire-thing'. Lots of walking on water follows
5. Posters cram on Wikipedia and drilling techniques knowledgeably discussed
6. Market price climbs precipitously
7. Stockmarket novices refer to options as ‘oppies’ and ordinary shares as ‘heads’
8. Mountains of previously 'scarce' scrip hits the market
9. Market price drops precipitously
10. Numerous conspiracy theories regarding capping, profiling and price manipulation emerge
11. Lots of acrimonious exchanges ensue on Hotcopper
12. The ‘Messiah’ and his band of faithfuls move camp
13. Hotcopper thread becomes a group therapy session for bagholders