OpEd: Is Common Sense Dead?

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Apparently YES! That’s it.

Common sense is so last year and has no place in society. Just like “Video Killed the Radio Star” from The Buggles, social media, and now artificial intelligence, has killed common sense. Ironically, common sense tells us that. That’s the only thing that can explain daily life today.

So, what are we talking about? Common sense, logical thinking and reasoning have been replaced. Just take the financial markets. Good old logic and common sense says stocks can’t only go up. Well, looks like they can. Investors, at least younger ones, don’t follow traditional advisors, read silly things like the WSJ or watch CNBC, FOX or even Bloomberg. Nope. TikTok. Reddit. Unknown voices from somewhere beyond. Don’t think, just follow.

Of course, one person’s version of common sense is different from someone else’s. Take bitcoin. Since its inception way back fifteen years ago, a great many people still just don’t get it. Common sense and logic to that large group says something like bitcoin, not backed by anything and only a digital entry, can’t go from pennies to $75K. Maybe more. But, yes it can go higher to $X. Social media and chat rooms sure got it going.

Which brings us to the media of today. The news has become extremely biased and politicized. Getting a “straight story” is almost impossible. Government numbers and economic reports are suspect. Reading that inflation is now under control doesn’t resonate with people food shopping, filing the vehicle up with gas or paying the insurance bill. Common sense says inflation is still here no matter what the cheery news anchor says. BUT, if the “news” says inflation is under control, then surely it must be. Right?

Border crisis? Wadda ya talking about? The border is secure, right? The news said it is. So why are all these foreign looking people sitting on the street? Hmmmm, something’s not right. Common sense says there is something amiss.

Maybe its time to go back to good old fashion common sense, logic and actual thinking (sorry TikTok). Common sense isn’t dead, maybe it’s only napping.


Bill Taylor is the CEO of Digital Wealth News™ and AI & Finance™ and a 40+ year veteran of the financial markets.  You can also ready his weekly musings on BTC, ETH, Gold & S&P500 at The Taylor Market Report.