I don't understand stocks anymore either, but I own them anyway. It seems like the original idea of "share in the profits" (i.e. dividends) has been entirely r

I don't understand stocks anymore either, but I own them anyway. It seems like the original idea of "share in the profits" (i.e. dividends) has been entirely replaced with "guess which companies will have the most hype in X years." The role as capital allocation seems have diminished too - it seems like no one goes public to actually raise money anymore, just to cash out. Knowledgable Internet, please educate me.