99% of stock markets around the world are traded by ignorant, undereducated "investors".
If not for them it would be a lot harder to make money. As it stands now patterns of stupidity are highly predictable and quite profitable. Even "seasoned" investors start to think too much of themselves and try to tell the market what it should be doing. When that happens professionals get steamrolled by the masses.
While transparency is an issue any individual with half a brain can get around the hidden arias by doing a bit of due diligence. If you were to ask a question even on IHub " What is the difference between the A/S and O/S?" most people would have no idea what you are talking about.
Why do most people come to message boards? Because they don't know what the hell they are doing and are looking for advice. Only problem is the ones that offer that advice are the same people that 6 months, or a year ago didn't know what they hell they were doing either.. but since they have been on a message board they are now experts. So the same myths and stupidity keeps getting handed down over and over again.