“Passing the exam is hedging against your inability to make money.”

The absolute number isn't what you should focus on. Sometimes you're at a 1:15 ratio compared to others, sometimes it's 1:1 — those extremes don't matter. What truly matters is that you've hedged away the risk of not having money-making ability.

It's like choosing to board a big ship, sitting on it and enjoying the view. If the ship sails fast, you profit; if it's slow, you accept it. After all, you can't swim anyway. Getting on a big ship essentially means you believe that, over the long run, you won't swim faster than the ship. It's not because you think the ship is impressive, but because you know you're worse at it yourself.

Buying a house is about buying into people. When you believe others can make money faster than you, that's when you need to buy a house, because everyone earning faster than you will eventually buy it from you at a higher price. So you should buy in good locations — places convenient for work, schools, shopping, and healthcare — areas suitable as a primary residence, not just as a toy. That's how homeownership serves as a hedge against other people's income growth outpacing yours.

Getting ashore plays the same role — it's a hedge against your own powerlessness, a hedge against your own inadequacy.

Joining a private company was always about building your own ship. When your money-making speed is fast enough, and you actually have your own business and trading system — where your returns can buy mines, energy, and resources — there are countless hedging strategies available. Who would still care about someone else's big ship? Private sector jobs don't give you money; they give you fast early money to build your own ship.

The higher the cost of safety, the more profit opportunities arise. Because many hardworking, honest folks get spooked by rough waters and cede the market to trendsetters.