One of the most incredible shows the world has ever seen was at the American Museum in New York in 1856. This museum contained a vast array of curiosities and freaks, but the most amazing highlight was the 6-Foot-Tall Man Eating Chicken.
Such a creature sounds impossible and horrific, but it was one of the key attractions of the museum. People would stand in line for a brief glimpse of such a beast. And who can blame them? After paying a few pennies for admission, they’d be ushered into a room, the curtains would be pulled back, and the stunning attraction would appear before them, just as described …
A tall man, seated at a table, gnawing on some chicken wings.
The greatest show on earth
Whatever else you say about P.T. Barnum, the mind behind the Man Eating Chicken, the fellow knew how to woo a crowd. While people didn’t always get exactly what they expected, they’d certainly be entertained. It reminds me of how some people approach investing.
These people dream about making a quick buck on the stock market. But rather than focus on the strategies that work, they’ll look for a great story told by press releases that could have been written by P.T. Barnum’s grandson.
I’m thinking here about companies like Commerce One. Back in mid-1999, the hype around Internet companies was reaching its peak. Business-to-consumer companies such as Amazon.com
About that time, Commerce One launched its IPO, and it soared. If B2C and C2C companies were so great, the reasoning went, business-to-business companies must be even better. Investors were rewarded, as B2B companies were among the top gainers of 1999. The wor
