[ezekiel68]

I'm not sure it is required that we become able to predict the future perfectly. Some technical patterns for some asset classes in some situations (such as belonging to a strong industry group) do, in fact, give an advantage. Here's an example:

If a securities chart has been trending downward and the price is below its 50-period moving average (50PMA), the price action cannot change to a rapid and significant upturn without crossing above the 50PMA . Although this does not mean that all crosses above the 50PMA will result in rapid and significant gains, a system such as this could be used to test whether such a strategy provides enough of an advantage over time. It can also be used to test one's reflexes to make the trade at the proper time. AND also used to test one's reflexes to get out of the trade if it does not continue moving in the anticipated direction.