Traders tend to be a pragmatic group. They are largely interested in
results. Actually some become so focused on results that it becomes
a hindrance. This tendency can be a handicap, as the way to achieve
good results is to focus on good processes and let the results take care of
themselves. Good traders learn this.
But good traders are still intellectually parsimonious. They want to
know what works, but seldom more than the minimum they need. When
I’m feeling uncharitable I regard this as characteristic of the uncurious,
dull people I have had the misfortune to work with, and indeed some were
like this. More realistically, however, this is less a reflection on the traders
themselves, most of who were intelligent people with a wide range of interests,
and more a reflection on the nature of trading.
Trading is complex, changeable, and potentially emotionally draining.
Once a trader has learned a sensible, statistically valid, profitable method,
he is better off concentrating on exploiting it rather than continuing to
experiment.