Dow-mancy. Using the Dow, or day to day numbers of the stock market in general, as a barometer of whether something is good or bad, right or wrong. Look out for "The Dow went up, so X must be good" or "The Dow took a hit, so X must be a bad idea." Can be considered one of the economic bottlenecks.

Why one shouldn't necessarily use the Dow as a measure of future fortunes

"Quick Iraq War"

* "Stocks soared Monday on bets that a war with Iraq is imminent and will end quickly", from back in 2003 (1)

Successes of the Dow don't equate to successes for you

Since President Trump's election, the Dow has spiked more than 4,600 points, or about 25%. The S&P 500 has added $2 trillion in value.

That's all great news if you're investing in corporate stocks, or if your 401(k) is heavy on equities. Over the past three years, the value of families' portfolios has risen "dramatically" to an average of $344,500, according to a September Federal Reserve report.

Yet the spoils of the stock market run are slanted heavily in favor of the wealthy. (2)

(1) - http://money.cnn.com/2003/03/17/markets/markets_newyork/

(2) - http://money.cnn.com/2017/10/20/investing/trump-stock-market-americans

Special Categories: Hyper-Materialism (Elites, Sniffers, Structures)