Life — October 17, 1930 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of "Sizing Up the Market" This page critiques 1920s stock market culture. The article argues the market lacks "secrets" and has become accessible to average people—which the author presents as problematic. He complains about excessive "tips" circulating everywhere and notes that weak financial hands are now dominant, which he views as unhealthy for prices. Most notably, the author argues **women shouldn't be trading stocks**. He claims women's participation represents a "bull market" peak and suggests removing them would improve conditions. This reflects period sexism—viewing female investors as frivolous speculators rather than serious participants. The lower cartoon mocks pretentious dining, with a waiter's deadpan complaint about clamshells—satirizing upper-class affectation, likely among the same nouveau-riche stock speculators discussed above.