What is the Overton Window?

Getting ahead of the geopolitical tsunami

I was first introduced to the concept of the Overton window by a good friend in Perth.

He is a thoughtful individual, very well read, and a successful entrepreneur.

The key to starting new businesses is to have a good hunch as to what comes next. This is not the same as "seeing the future", but "recognizing the present". 

What trends will persist for long enough to organize a business to profit?

Some may view this as a "gift", but I disagree. I think it is a "skill" to be developed.

This skill involves cultivating your human powers of observation and inquiry.

My friend in Perth has done this very well, and I am always alert to his insights.

The Overton window is the range of policies politically acceptable to the mainstream population at a given time. 

That is plain enough, but here is the kicker:

It is also known as the window of discourse.

This is the key to understanding the machinations of contemporary geopolitics.

The window of discourse is just a function of what the public will presently accept.

You start by talking up a Cold War, and then deliver World War III.

I am resigned to this method of manufacturing consent to policies that may not actually benefit the public, but which certainly benefit their advocates.

To see through the Overton Window, you need to step outside and look in.

Look for the stage rig and wires, those pulling the levers, and maybe read the script on the teleprompter. Just follow the bouncing ball.

This requires a perspective which is not part of the mainstream and the chutzpah to follow through on relating the insights which stem from such a perspective.

This is the service I shall bring you with the Savvy Yabby Report.

Think of us as an Overton Window Cleaner.

Our goal is to help navigate global markets during a period when policy makers may well be saying one thing while preparing to do another.

This is the daily news cycle of staying ahead of rapidly changing geopolitics, trade wars, the hot and cold wars of our time, and a still surging cost of living.

The incentives of today demand a healthy skepticism.

However, we have to remain good humored through any difficulty.

You might well ask…

What’s with the blue crustacean?

Of course, your erstwhile correspondent is the founder of Jevons Global.

I have spent close to thirty years in a variety of button-downed financial institutions talking the serious business of global investment, across equities, fixed income, and commodities. That can be a little dry sometimes.

This world is changing so fast, and so radically, that I think it is a good idea to leaven the load with a little humor. If there are troubling aspects to the world, we should remain clear-eyed about it, but also adopt an optimistic tone.

The Savvy Yabby is your friend and a sturdy guide to investor sentiment.

There are always opportunities in markets, and the The Savvy Yabby Report aims to unearth these for the benefit of subscribers. We will provide perspective on breaking events, explanatory background, thematic research, and a selection of stock ideas.

Our purpose is to support the self-directed investor through all market seasons.

We also aim to entertain wherever that is possible.

I will share observations on the ideas and themes that drive our portfolio thinking.

In June, we shall launch formally with a portfolio newsletter service.

Why June?

Simple, that is when the Savvy Yabby is most often seen at play.

The Savvy Yabby is an investor sentiment model I use for trade timing.

It is particularly effective during the tax loss selling season that occurs every June in Australia, and each December in the USA, and many other markets.

You can read about past exploits of Cherax Destructor here, here and again over here.

Just subscribe to the free version to become familiar with our schtick.

Tell your friends if you find the insights worthwhile.

Follow the blue crustacean as we hunt for tasty morsels in global markets.

The next upcoming post will explain how my sentiment indicator works.

Subscribe now so as not to miss out!