Why should it surprise us that markets bail?

I'm fascinated with the idea that people are surprised or shocked that market operators might be shutting down operations when the price of BC is favorable/instable or, for that matter, any other odd reason.

Sure, they are making lots of $$$...so why now? Are they evil bastards?

Economists have struggled for years to explain why folks such as Jeff Bezos or Tim Cook, Warren Buffet etc. would continue to soldier on, when their war chests were overflowing with $$ to the point of absurdity. And the common answer is that it has something to do with hubris...the drive to be viewed by one's peers as a great entrepreneur. A success story. A genius.

But as we know, life in the world of the DNMs is very different. The first and foremost goal is to never be known by anybody...period. So if you're 28 and created the new Agora 5, the most important goal should be making sure that your friends and partner think you are working at a car wash. Your only identity should be a pseudonym that nobody in your real life gives a shit about. That hot chick might blow Bezos, but never you because she doesn't know that you manage Nucleus/Black...

So given that there is no reputation to be gained or lost from one's actions in the virtual world of DNM commerce, what reason is there not to simply close up shop when things are convenient and move on to another chapter in one's life in the physical world? Yes, we can talk about karma and all of that, but the bottom line is that we should expect market operators to bail, take the money, and run. And to do so with surprising regularity. And 250 years of science would be on our side.

I'd suggest the real outlier could (maybe) be seen in the case for Agora. Whether they do or do not come back is anybody's guess...but the fact that they stuck around long enough for everybody to withdraw their funds is truly astounding from a theoretical perspective, as well as a demonstration of the altruistic nature of human beings. And I am certain that there are already academics who are onto this story as we speak...

Don't get me wrong...I've always been on the Karma side. But, I have also always liked the fact that I could tell my friends and loved ones that I am on the Karma side.


Comments


[4 Points] youwontbemissed:

No BMR mention? I agree with you but... you're new


[2 Points] None:

Agora wasn't the first, even SR2 never seemed to have any real plans of scamming, operators truly believed they'd continue forever, the world is full of karmic people


[1 Points] legalizeNUKESANDcp:

Whatever happened to the "Thousand Headed Hydra" Silkroad market that promised 2 markets for every 1 that gets shut down?


[1 Points] powerman15:

Not even reading this because IT DOESN'T surprise us. There was no massive out pouring of rage when ME and AB disappeared because everyone is just like "meh another one bites the dust".


[0 Points] AutoModerator:

Because you are using a brand new account, your submission has been automatically hidden from public view and is awaiting moderator approval. If this message disappears, you will know your post has been approved. If it doesn't disappear and you are not given a reason for your submission's removal within 6 hours, you can try reposting your thread. Accounts must be at least 6 hours old to post unrestricted on /r/DarkNetMarkets. Please see this modpost for more information and make sure to read the rules of our subreddit. If you are new to this community, please check out /r/DarkNetMarketsNoobs to get started on your journey.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.