The Demand For Punditry

I check the weather forecast a lot in the summer because I hate the heat. I somehow think (hope?) that checking the forecast lowers the probability of a heat wave. Since it's spring and it’s been mild, I haven’t been looking at the weather.

I also can’t help but watch a lot of Manchester United commentary when they’re playing poorly. Thankfully, United have been playing well since January, so I haven’t listened to a minute of analysis since then. How bad has United been? I’d been watching commentary weekly since early 2021. I’m enjoying the break.

And now that investment markets are a bit volatile (said without an ounce of sarcasm), I can’t help but read investment news. I haven’t reached the point where I’m looking at futures markets on Sunday afternoons yet, but I’m sure I’ll get there.

Funny how when things are going well, like with spring weather and Manchester United, we don’t care one bit about what pundits think. But add just an ounce of uncertainty, and the demand for punditry goes through the roof. And like all good marketplaces, the supply of punditry comes to market at an alarming rate.

Against my better judgement I typed “stock market” into YouTube this evening (March 29th). Here are the titles of the first ten videos.

A quick comment about the video thumbnail images too. They are hilarious and embarrassing: pensive facial expressions with a red line chart in the background. Some even have fire.

Stock Market Crash 2026: What to Do From Here

Five Stocks I’m Buying in the 2026 Stock Crash

THEY SOLD… Market Crash Coming?

Stock Markets Crashing! I Doubled My Shares in This Fantastic Growth Stock

The Stock Market is about to PANIC

The 2026 Stock Market Crash Has Started (Do This ASAP!)

The Stock Market Just Crashed - Buy The Dip

An Opportunity Like This Won’t Come Again… (Emergency Update)

When Will the STOCK MARKET CRASH Stop? Buying Opportunity!

Stock Market Crash Coming: Here’s How to Profit.

A few comments.

First, no one – absolutely no one – can predict the future.

Second, the S&P 500 is down almost ten percent from the high and about five percent year-to-date: in what world is that a crash?

Third, some of those videos already have hundreds of thousands of views. I would love to know who the viewers are.