Things to Avoid

Though potentially devastating, financial speculation is hardly a new or recent development. The allure of making a quick book always has been with us and has led people to make some idiotic investments.

To put that in context, just consider the following investment opportunities that existed during the British South Seas Bubble of 1720 (list taken from The Great Crash by John Kenneth Galbraith):

• "To Make Salt Water Fresh"
• "For Building of Hospitals for Bastard Children
• "For Building of Ships Against Pirates"
• "For Importing a Number of Large Jack Asses from Spain
• "For a Wheel of Perpetual Motion"

And my personal favorite:

• "For an Undertaking Which Shall in Due Time Be Revealed"
  

In comparison, Pets.com doesn't look so bad.