About the recent gold trend and money-making projects.

 The recent frenzied rally in the gold market has been like a boulder crashing into a calm lake, sending ripples far and wide. Many around me have been eager to discuss the market, waving their price charts in my face. But I’ve kept mum. When asked for my opinion, I always say, “Follow your heart.” This isn’t flippancy; it’s the caution born of years of experience. If you predict a rise and prices plummet instead, others may blame you for their losses. If you forecast a fall and prices keep climbing, you’ll be accused of standing in the way of their fortune. It’s just like what happened in the stock market last year. When I voiced some bearish views, a few who’d gone all-in on their positions lashed out, calling me a “sour-grapes loser.” In the end, I had to write a paid article suggesting that those torn between buying and selling might as well flip a coin. In such a manic market, any analysis, no matter how professional it seems, isn’t really more reliable than a 50-50 coin toss.

This current surge in gold has long shed its guise as a safe-haven investment. It’s pure speculation through and through. Even if it shoots up to $10,000 per gram, its nature won’t change. The continuous price hikes act like a powerful narcotic, blinding people to the risks as they chase the rally. It’s just like gambling—what’s truly dangerous isn’t losing, but winning. Those who taste success often get pulled deeper and deeper, only to end up ruined. Strangely, those who keep losing usually quit early. I’m a prime example. I started playing mahjong in sixth grade, and I’d only win once out of a hundred games. Eventually, I just gave it up altogether. For me, the sense of achievement from running a successful project or writing an article read by tens of thousands of people beats the fleeting dopamine rush from gambling or idle pleasures hands down.

So, in this gold speculation frenzy, as retail investors, we mustn’t let the “noise” of all those macro analyses distract us. Don’t try to align with the macroeconomy; instead, base your decisions on your own risk tolerance and the amount of spare cash you can afford to lose. Remember, while making money is important and imagination is key, losing your rationality in the speculative market can lead to disaster.