Comment by soVeryTired

> So I figure I can’t compete with pros and passive investing seems like a reasonable enough approximation in the long run.

It sounds like you’re conflating making good investment decisions with understanding the financial system. For me, understanding the financial system means understanding how banks, insurance companies, and pension funds work, how they interact with government (e.g. the central bank), and also knowing a bit about financial plumbing.

That’s not necessary or sufficient for making good investments!