I really hope you forgot your sarcasm tag.
Given the amounts involved, "investors" (of the individual sort, about whom you seem to be talking) are like mice among the dancing elephants who contol multi-billion dollar portfolios.
A kid with a bucket has about as much chance of re-routing the Mississippi River, as an normal individal has of escaping the consequences of the big boys' market actions.
Sounds like you're speaking from painful experience. Rush often warns about advice from those that do poorly; my take is that anyone with talent who's willing to work hard can do quite well in stock trading. Those that don't believe me can just ask my tax auditor.
individuals don’t play with fire; that’s why they either take the time and effort to educate themselves properly or hire a professional to do it for them.