the paradox of capitulation

I've been thinking about the constant mentions of our day of capitulation, generally made in the context of investors waiting for it as the signal to buy back into the market. I think this widely help position misunderstands the concept of capitulation. Surely capitulation is when investors are past the point at which they are looking to re-enter the market. They have capitulated!

Reminds me of the opening scene in the film, Swingers. Devastated guy has been dumped by his girlfriend. He asks for advice as to how he can get her back? Friend tells him that the only way to get her back is to pretend that he doesn't want her back, but ... after a while she will come back to him. The catch is that, by this stage, he's not pretending, he's over her.

It's cold comfort to him now though.