Subject: Re: Dealraker made a point worth contemplating: "
Listen, I get it that you like dumping on me for reasons no-one can quite figure. Everyone needs a hobby.

You know nothing about me or my background.

Jim, I wish I could recommend your post more than once!!

I think Dealraker insults this entire board when he opines that people follow you mindlessly into investment decisions. I haven't run into any Berkshire investors, or even those interested, who aren't intelligent thoughtful folks. BRK shareholders do seem to self-select themselves. That doesn't mean all of us are skilled investors, but we know enough to learn from others. The old AOL board and the people I got to know through that are why I became a Berkshire shareholder. And I try to share what I've learned in later years to pass on their support.

And he underestimates where many of us have come from. How many of us inherited Berkshire shares?

I'm one with a background similar to yours. I was born in the middle of the Depression. Early years were spent on a very small rural farm. No electricity or running water. Outhouse down the hill. Heat was one fireplace and a wood stove. I, my two brothers, a first cousin, my mother, and my grandmother shared her small home - circa 600 ft2. We grew or killed 90+ percent of what we ate. And sewed shirts from from flour sacks. Hand me down clothes were the rule. Things got better during WWII.

I started full time work at age 12, the same year I started high school. Worked at a drugstore from 4-8pm after school, 12 hours on Saturday and 8 hours on Sunday. Back then you were either a child or an adult for many people. Thank goodness there were no child labor law restrictions. Made enough to support myself and help my family. I've always been grateful for having that job.

Graduated high school as valedictorian but no money for college. Knew that an education was the key to a better life for my family and myself. Mom found me a summer job as bellhop on the Gulf Coast. Worked 12 hour/7day a week. Made enough to attend a junior college and even the first year of senior college. Borrowed on my word only to get through the second one. Ane repaid it. Took all my chemical engineering course in two years - 20-21 hours a semester, almost all STEM. Was elected to national honor societies, and succeeded in getting a job with Exxon. Life changed after that. Two of the hardest years of my life, but they paid off.

I have found very, very few assholes on the various BRK boards. But you do run into one every once in a while. And they never seem willing (or able) to listen to others.