Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!rutgers!sri-spam!ames!lll-lcc!pyramid!hplabs!hplabsz!taylor
From: reggie@pdn.UUCP (George W. Leach)
Newsgroups: comp.society
Subject: Re: Computers and the Stock Exchange
Message-ID: <1510@hplabsz.HPL.HP.COM>
Date: 29 Jan 88 09:44:26 GMT
Sender: taylor@hplabsz.HPL.HP.COM
Organization: Paradyne Corporation, Largo FL
Lines: 22
Approved: taylor@hplabs

First, a general disclaimer on what follows.  I know absolutely nothing 
about the stock market other than I lost a few bucks on a company a few
years ago.  So all that I have to say is speculation on the situation 
and not an informed opinion.  Corrections to any assumptions made are 
appreciated.

I think that the limitations are due to the inability for human beings 
to become involved in the decision making process.  The trading decisions 
are made and executed so fast that manual overrides may not be possible.  
The human being is taken out of the loop.

If there is anything that one learns from a human factors point of view 
it is the need for providing manual overrides for any automated system.  
However, if the process does not allow enough time for human reaction to 
the situation, it may be too late.  

The other angle on all this is just what factors go into making a buy or 
sell decision?  Are all them quantifiable?  Decision support systems can't 
emulate some human qualities that go into a decision making process like 
gut feelings, emotions, etc.......

George W. Leach