Investment Pornography -- Fast Money

If pornography is all about titillation and arousal, it is not surprising that rate- and ad-hungry cable TV business shows now mimic the sex market. The concept “investment pornography” has been around for a long time, but it has never fit as well as it does now with such ever popular shows as Fast Money on CNBC. Just look at the name of the program FAST money. And, what are they hawking – and hawking is what they are doing – HOT tips and the most sensational returns. The tone, texture, exchanges, and programming are as close to porn as TV has ever gotten.

Fast Money (and Cramer every bit as much) is set to high pitch, driven by enticing camera shots, and staffed by virile actors bringing themselves and their audience to ever higher levels of arousal. They get off, especially, when the market plummets and when they can hint at Armageddon. They love to excite by suggesting hot new sector trends, engage in cross play, and manipulate fast and dazzling graphics. It is a bizarre mix of information and entertainment that is soft core, not hard core, but pornography all the same. And, it could actually be bad for your financial health.

Pornography is big business for the very reason that it excites and plays with the mind. It is real big business. TV business shows, especially Fast Money and Cramer, have cleverly adopted its style, format, and packaging.