My perspective comes from somewhat out on the edge in many ways. I live on the fringe of the wilds here on the outskirts of Squamish BC, and my backyard receives quite a bit of bear traffic, real ones, not just the market kind like me. My wife and I spend most of our free time in the mountains, ski mountaineering in the winter and climbing in the summer. Nevertheless when I am not in the wilderness I trade stocks or options most days and I read and try to digest all the information I can. I read on a wide variety of subjects, more out of general interest than to try to make money, which may give me somewhat of a macro perspective. For instance I found that last year’s financial meltdown happened to be much more accurately forecast in scientific journals by scientists using basic but precise logic than in any of the prognostications of mainstream economists featured in financial or news magazines.

I have founded, managed, and sold a couple of reasonably successful businesses including The Edge Climbing Centre, one of North America’s first major indoor climbing gyms. I am starting yet another business now, but given the economic times it will be low overhead and minimal investment, and even more than usual, the main goal will be to have fun.

Although I don’t own a TV I have been watching US congressional hearings that deal with the financial crisis through live feeds on CCN on line. I can’t imagine any reality show that could be more riveting than this. And scary. Anyone who believes the media has overblown the severity of the financial crisis needs to watch this stuff. This is real news, unfiltered.

The photo of me was taken after a week in the mountains, sunburnt, unshaven and happy.

Email is: rockcraft@shaw.ca