[a fool in paradise]

thinking they were going to "flip and buy"

Another term for ponzi scheme and manic buying.

Investing for the long term has essentially gone away. It is still done but "day traders" don't trade on matters of actual performance and can tank a company.

[Perdogg]

The problem is investing in gold has not paid off in 20 years. Essentially no return from 1984-2004.