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>How do you know the other commentors in this thread don't have a position in Tesla? I don't. >merely pointed out that some forum commenters may have position

>How do you know the other commentors in this thread don't have a position in Tesla? I don't. >merely pointed out that some forum commenters may have positions in the companies they talk about, which as far as I'm concerned is their good right and which they do not have to disclose. Agreed and agreed. >If HN required disclosure of positions in companies being discussed I'm sure they would add it to the rules of conduct. I see no such requirement. I never said HN required it. Our difference of opinion is in the difference between is and ought. Posters don't have to disclose but they ought to, why else would Chuck have done it in this thread?

jacquesm 9y ago
> why else would Chuck have done it in this thread? Because he's a decent human being. But that doesn't mean that people that do not disclose their positions are not decent human beings. And that's where we really differ, Chuck went over and beyond the call of duty here, it would be a mistake to assume that others in the same position would do the same because you feel they should. They don't and they probably won't. Holding HN to some kind of imaginary standard when it comes to discussing public companies is both unproductive and likely will not illuminate but will merely give the illusion that if someone does not disclose their position that they don't have any. After all, who will verify what anybody writes? full disclosure: I hold about 2 billion worth of Tesla stock...
- frgtpsswrdlame 9y ago
  >it would be a mistake to assume that others in the same position would do the same because you feel they should. They don't and they probably won't. I don't assume that. >people that do not disclose their positions are not decent human beings. Decent human beings is a bit broad, but I do think they're engaging in an unethical action, yes. >Holding HN to some kind of imaginary standard when it comes to discussing public companies is both unproductive and likely will not illuminate but will merely give the illusion that if someone does not disclose their position that they don't have any. After all, who will verify what anybody writes? I don't expect to illuminate it and I don't think the community would fall for the illusion you think that it would any more than it already does. Perhaps the root disagreement comes down to doing what you can when you can even if the effect is only a small one, which is kind of what I'm doing here. >full disclosure: I hold about 2 billion worth of Tesla stock... I don't know whether you do or not (EDIT: do or do not disclose that is, for clarification) but I think if you post about Tesla without disclosing that holding, that's unethical. Whether it's against the rules or not.
  - jacquesm 9y ago
    > I don't know whether you do or not (EDIT: do or do not disclose that is, for clarification) but I think if you post about Tesla without disclosing that holding, that's unethical. Why do you think that? Disclosing whether or not someone holds a position in a stock they are discussing is unethical in a professional setting, but this is not a professional setting. Disclosure is a courtesy, not an obligation, and might not be truthful whether positive or negative and therefore should not be assigned any value.
    - frgtpsswrdlame 9y ago
      A belief that people should be courteous? Especially if that someone is coming to a place like this and speaking as if they're giving an honest unbiased opinion when in reality they have an ulterior motive. >Disclosing whether or not someone holds a position in a stock they are discussing is unethical in a professional setting, but this is not a professional setting. Maybe you could tell me why you believe it's unethical in a professional setting and what the difference is in a more personal setting like this forum which makes it not unethical anymore.
      - jacquesm 9y ago
        Because (1) you can't check and (2) the SEC doesn't care and (3) there is such a thing as privacy.
        frgtpsswrdlame 9y ago
        1 and 2 aren't ethical reasons and 3 applies just as much in a professional setting. I'm asking you to engage on an ethical level. Why is it unethical to not disclose your holdings in a professional setting?
        jacquesm 9y ago
        You're wrong about 3. That's where the SEC makes a difference. Anyway, I don't think I'll be able to change your mind on this no matter how much time I put in so I'll just wish you good luck with your crusade.

jacquesm 9y ago

> why else would Chuck have done it in this thread? Because he's a decent human being. But that doesn't mean that people that do not disclose their positions are not decent human beings. And that's where we really differ, Chuck went over and beyond the call of duty here, it would be a mistake to assume that others in the same position would do the same because you feel they should. They don't and they probably won't. Holding HN to some kind of imaginary standard when it comes to discussing public companies is both unproductive and likely will not illuminate but will merely give the illusion that if someone does not disclose their position that they don't have any. After all, who will verify what anybody writes? full disclosure: I hold about 2 billion worth of Tesla stock...

frgtpsswrdlame 9y ago
>it would be a mistake to assume that others in the same position would do the same because you feel they should. They don't and they probably won't. I don't assume that. >people that do not disclose their positions are not decent human beings. Decent human beings is a bit broad, but I do think they're engaging in an unethical action, yes. >Holding HN to some kind of imaginary standard when it comes to discussing public companies is both unproductive and likely will not illuminate but will merely give the illusion that if someone does not disclose their position that they don't have any. After all, who will verify what anybody writes? I don't expect to illuminate it and I don't think the community would fall for the illusion you think that it would any more than it already does. Perhaps the root disagreement comes down to doing what you can when you can even if the effect is only a small one, which is kind of what I'm doing here. >full disclosure: I hold about 2 billion worth of Tesla stock... I don't know whether you do or not (EDIT: do or do not disclose that is, for clarification) but I think if you post about Tesla without disclosing that holding, that's unethical. Whether it's against the rules or not.
- jacquesm 9y ago
  > I don't know whether you do or not (EDIT: do or do not disclose that is, for clarification) but I think if you post about Tesla without disclosing that holding, that's unethical. Why do you think that? Disclosing whether or not someone holds a position in a stock they are discussing is unethical in a professional setting, but this is not a professional setting. Disclosure is a courtesy, not an obligation, and might not be truthful whether positive or negative and therefore should not be assigned any value.
  - frgtpsswrdlame 9y ago
    A belief that people should be courteous? Especially if that someone is coming to a place like this and speaking as if they're giving an honest unbiased opinion when in reality they have an ulterior motive. >Disclosing whether or not someone holds a position in a stock they are discussing is unethical in a professional setting, but this is not a professional setting. Maybe you could tell me why you believe it's unethical in a professional setting and what the difference is in a more personal setting like this forum which makes it not unethical anymore.
    - jacquesm 9y ago
      Because (1) you can't check and (2) the SEC doesn't care and (3) there is such a thing as privacy.
      - frgtpsswrdlame 9y ago
        1 and 2 aren't ethical reasons and 3 applies just as much in a professional setting. I'm asking you to engage on an ethical level. Why is it unethical to not disclose your holdings in a professional setting?
        jacquesm 9y ago
        You're wrong about 3. That's where the SEC makes a difference. Anyway, I don't think I'll be able to change your mind on this no matter how much time I put in so I'll just wish you good luck with your crusade.