I disagree that investing in the stock market is gambling with the caveat that many people treat it like gambling.

What I mean is that boring, defensive trading is a fairly predictable thing. Boring, stable and mature companies are typically safe investments that do grow over time and are a good way to protect yourself against inflation.

The issue is people want to maximize returns, even if expectations are unrealistic, and make risky gambles at unwarranted expected returns. Look at a company's profit, expenses, history and dont expect the future to be ideal for big returns.

But... But... It's a Fabergé egg!

Interesting in stocks with a one day horizon, you’re right, it’s basically gambling. Over ten years though, different story.

Yeah, I think it is very noble, but... like...

I have this friend. Grew up poor. Parents divorced. Dad abused him. Mom was an alcoholic. But he made it out alive and got married to a girl. They live in the same podunk rust belt town they grew up in, working at walmart. They aren't dumb. They aren't lazy. But whenever they think about moving, its "oh, but I still have to take care of mom - her schizophrenia is flaring up again and her hoarding is getting out of control." "gotta stick around for dad - he's getting heart surgery and needs our support" "gotta help out my FIL, since he went senile and is now on the run from the law for looking at CP on the computer in between cancer treatments."

I, meanwhile, graduated high school, walked out the door, and haven't returned to my home town or seen my parents probably more than a dozen times since, and am much happier with my life.

That's just how it is to come from a poor family who loves eachother. People who are from a more comfortable background don't get what a privilege it is to have family that is just financially OK. I can barely imagine life without that weight.

I have the passwords to every single of my parent's accounts and get every bill reminder in my inbox.

PS. Realising that I'm privileged to have a family who loves me ofc. They set me up well emotionally, but hoooeee I am never having kids or flying on an airplane, that's for sure.