Like a constantly-played tune on the radio, this phrase blares from self-checkout stations in supermarkets across the U.S. (Your locale may vary.) What does this tell us?
When first using these kinds of machines, that voice prompt might have been helpful at the time. But over time, these kinds of exhortations are just now another background noise one must ignore. One must ignore it to keep one’s sanity.
It is both a lesson and a threat. A lesson in societal awareness that teaches us that there are some things we must actively ignore. Such active disregard for an obvious vocal intrusion robs us of our own self-respect and personal energy, and personal power.
The threat arrives because at some point in our future from within the active disdain for the recording might arise something important. That recorded voice might some day provide a message of importance. So our active disregard must still hear and process the messsage and then determine if it something new for us to know, or if it should be relegated back into the “ok to ignore” column.
Risk
Perhaps taking a stretch in meaning and significance, but this now-annoying instructional message at checkout stations can be seen as a metaphor for all sorts of incidents in our culture. Within the financial world, we are exposed to an endless stream of information, data, opinions, advice, and so on. We realistically do not have enough time in our lives to understand and process everthing we are exposed to. As a result, we much choose to ignore or disregard whatever we decide, we still must pay some attention in order to prepare for the possibility we might miss something we might want or need to know.
Oh, My Ears
When I started as a younger investor, I was befuddled by so much of what I heard. Which information and advice was relevant to me? Which information should I ignore? Which information would be detrimental? An endless number of questions would arise. Where to turn?
My solution was at the time to turn to the public library. I read every book on investing. I did this because reading at library I could do at my own pace. There was no one standing there telling me I am missing some “fabulous opportunity” by hesitating. And at least I was able to distill where I was and where I was going. I found what fit my comfort and expectations. And in so doing I was able to develop my own filters for all the financial noise in the news and from Wall Street. I recommend you find your own way. Your mileage my vary.
I found dividend investing. Simple, effective, and adhering to it cuts off most noise. When I pay attention, I can watch all the tumult from the sidelines. I do not need to get bloodied in the process of growing my net worth. In my view, it is an easier, softer way.
What is your method? Let me know here.
The illustration is from “March of Intellect” by Robert Seymour, published in 1828. Courtesy British Museum.
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