“For a solution to arise, conflict must first appear.”

There's a lot here I want to comment on, but for the most part I'd just be reaffirming everything you've already said. The above statement, however, really got my attention, as it coincides with something I heard some time ago, but only really began to understand within the last few years, which is innovation thrives on the bleeding edge.

I never knew how true that was until I found this community. I've watch projects launch, and grow, with little more than hopes and dreams backing them. It wasn't because they were destined to succeed. It was because the people who cared about it never stopped caring or trying to keep pushing forward. Failure isn't the act of trying and not succeeding. It's the act of not trying at all. Once you try, even if it doesn't work, you've learned something. It may not be the success you want, but it's the success you need.

I'll wrap it up with a funny thought I've had the last few days. During the last bull run, I had more money than I've ever had in my life. Like most of the rest of us, I didn't know how to hang on to most of it when the bears came out to feed.

I can approach this from at least two ways.

1. I lost about $250k last year, or
2. I earned a quarter million $$ education in just 12 months!

One is depressing as hell. The other excites me to no end.

Thanks for letting me ramble. :D