If you're reading this, I have a theory about you.  My theory is that you're like me.  The media says you got involved because you are tech savy.  And maybe you are.  But that's not what brought you.  

Maybe what brought you is your personality.  Maybe it was your natural tendencies.  Maybe you're a different breed.  

At least that's my theory.  I need to test it.  I'd like you to help me. 

Take the quiz below, and leave your results in the comments.  

• What percentage of your savings or investments is in crypto?  
  • 0-10%:  1 Point
  • 10-50%: 2 Points
  • 50-75%: 3 Points
  • 75% or more:  4 Points
• "I tend to spend more time than I probably should on crypto related activities"
  • Strongly disagree:  1 Point
  • Somewhat disagree:  2 Points
  • Somewhat agree:  3 Points
  • Strongly agree:  4 Points 
• If not for crypto, the money I currently invest in crypto would likely have gone to: 
  • Stocks and bonds: 1 Point
  • Savings:  2 Points
  • Precious metals or other alternative investments:  3 Points
  • I have no idea/trips, new gadgets and shiny things:  4 Points
• What's the hardest thing about crypto for you?
  • Lack of government regulations:  1 Point
  • The volatility:  2 Points
  • Deciding which of the many assets you want to buy you will actually buy:  3 Points
  • Taking the steps necessary to get a new wallet or sign on to a new exchange for the asset you want to buy:  4 Points

Now tally the results.  I am guessing a lot of you are going to come in between 12 and 16.  

After you tallied your results, tell me this:  do you have ADD/ADHD?  

There are reasons why those of us with ADD may be more prone to investing in crypto than more traditional investments.  

ADD is essentially an executive function deficiency.  People with executive function deficiencies need more motivation in the risk/reward analysis than traditional investments tend to offer.  

Here's how a traditional investments pitch sounds to someone with ADD: 

"You should start investing now, while you are fairly young, and pursue 3-4% annual returns, because over time, they will add up and you will be able to retire fairly comfortably, assuming you don't live longer than you budgeted for while we were calculating your investment strategy.  If you don't, you won't have enough saved to retire when you're old."  

Me:  You're probably right, but part of my soul just died a little bit.

Analysis:  the risk is too far away to move us.  Who knows if we will even live that long?  Or what life will be like if we do?  And the reward fails to motivate.  It is also too far away.  And the promise of maintaining the status quo of your current lifestyle while not working does not sound particularly appealing.  

Now contrast that with the crypto pitch:  

"Alright, check it out.  There's this new thing called crypto!  It's like money, but it's like this crazy new concept of money.  You can trade all these different coins, and each coin has its own project, and they are all working on trying to do really cool things!  And it's decentralized, which means no central banks or governments can control it!  And you can bet on which coins/projects you think will do the best.  And if you guess right and bet enough, there's a pretty good chance you could get RICH!  Also if you guess wrong, you could lose everything!"

Me:  Dude!  You had me at "crazy new concept of money!" 

Analysis:  There's just too much to like.  Reward circuits are firing.  Fear of missing the opportunity is much stronger than fear of losing everything, or even fear of inaction and insufficient retirement funds, per the first analysis.  There are hundreds of potential investments, many of which sound awesome. 

What's better?  Picking exciting projects out of many exciting projects? 

Or picking a mutual fund?      

If it all falls apart in the end, at least I know what I will blame it on.  :)