The point of the original post is true, and funny as long as you weren't in those stocks and suffered those losses. Remember though that in any market there are always winning picks to be had.

Timing is everything, like it or not.

For example, I'd love to be able to go back in time and scoop up a bunch of blue chip stocks just after the great depression hit. For everyone that jumped out of a tall building there was eventually someone else that got rich.

Now as for fun/hobby related investment advice, I'll offer this:
Magazines for semi-auto firearms are a good bet. You don't need any special license to buy or sell them, and shipping isn't usually a killer. Do your homework and with enough patience a decent profit can be had.