I agree that many people are often risk-averse. However this is still a
function of imperfect information. Why does one choose not to invest in
a new software firm? Because he doesn't know that the firm will
eventually be Microsoft. In the same way, a person who decides not to
risk a drive to the beach because it may rain, only wishes he knew more
about weather systems when it turns out to be a beautiful day. IMO,
people are inherently self-aggrandizing (as I have offered before on
this list), and if they *KNOW* they will be increased by a certain
change in situation, skill, or whatever, they *WILL* accept the change,
and quite often, pursue it for themselves.
> I hazard a guess that most
> participants in this list are atypical in this regard.
I don't know if this is true, but if it is, that means that the people
on this list probably have, or firmly believe they have, more
information than the rest of humanity.
Boat drinks,
Hagbard