What happens if regular investors actually begin to buy individual stocks again . Its something we need to consider as the averages hit still one more alltime high records. Down gaining 66 points, s p advancing. 45 , nasdaq climbing. 64 . Another ton of statistics showing an almost inexorible decline in the interest in the stock market as a whole. There are entire outfits that exist to scare you out of picking stocks, telling you that its a fools game because of the dreaded singlestock risk. They say youre worried that you could buy a total loser and it would destroy your nest egg, which is why theyre so eager to sell you this night etf that will sell you the both winners and loser. But theres something afoot now, after nine straight sessions where the nasdaq has rallied a total of 4. 7 , theres something going on, at least anecdotally these days when im stopped on the street by random passersby, im beginning to get actual questions about lots of individual stocks again. Not hows the m