It is my belief that beginners need to be taught much more than a specific investment paradigm. Instead, they need the broader skill how to evaluate paradigms generally, which creates a Catch-22 situation.

I agree with this, but I don't think this is necessarily the first board people go to expecting to see a discussion and development of overall investment paradigms. Rather, I think people develop a plan elsewhere, determine that bonds need to play a role in their plan, and then come to the Bond board looking for specific information about bonds. Certainly the questions that newcomers have seem geared toward that methodology.

On the other hand, the FAQ shouldn't take a definitive stand on a paradigm itself. For instance, if the FAQ said that the only purpose for bonds is to dampen volatility of pure stock portfolios in accordance with modern portfolio theory, then I'd understand your objection if that were the only view stated.

I value your investing anecdotes, even if I haven't figured out how to apply them to my own investing. I guess my feeling is that until I fully understand a novel investing idea like yours, I'm likely just to lose my shirt trying to emulate your strategies.

dan