This game is so complicated. Brokers care that you make trades. That's how they make commissions. You winning or loosing for the most part does not matter to them. Same with shorters. Do you really think it is their own personal money? The facts are that there are so many scheisters that have wormed their way around the system creating ways that they can steal money from unsuspecting investors. The best advice I can give is to try to understand a small piece of the greater markets. Find a company that has something special going for it. Buy and be patient. With flat rate direct brokerages, why pay some putz to trade away your money for you. Look out for your #1!