I remember sndesai, I think, had a really great series of posts that explained how the financial system actually works. I wish I could re-read it now after several years of learning more about investing.

The biggest point I took away is that the value of the bond market is many times bigger than the value of the stock market. Many (most?) wealthy people got that way by starting companies and taking them public. Very few people get wealthy just investing their own money. Wealthy people, however, preserve their wealth with bonds.

The stock market is a tool for businesses to raise money to do even more business... that makes the owners of those businesses wealthy as a byproduct. And we can go along for the ride (but usually after most of the action has already happened i.e. post IPO).

With proper perspective on how things are related, you can start to better understand why things are happening in the economy and what might happen next.

To that end, here is really good video about how our economy works

https://youtu.be/PHe0bXAIuk0

and another about how the richest families in the world perceive wealth and invest to preserve it indefinitely.

https://youtu.be/a4_U6bS-cU4

Anyway, I support the general idea of this post but I'd suggest putting the bulk of your money in broad market indices and only "gambling" on individual stocks with a small portion of your money.

It's mostly a rigged game but if you understand the house rules, you'll find your way to spots with better odds for you to win.