The Dangers of VXX
I'll write something longer and more involved on this subject, but I figure first an Executive Summary, as it were, would be a quick way of depicting the point.
VXX is an ETN (not an ETF, it's a different sort of thing) that attempts to replicate the short term movements of VIX futures, the futures - and the options on them - being the only way you can attempt to trade the VIX.
Chart number one: VXX since the beginning
Chart number two: VXX over the last two years
Chart number three: VXX over the last year
I hope you get the picture.
I'll start another thread to explain options and futures and how this ETN works, but I want this to stand alone, because in real life I keep running into people who put money in this fund thinking "It's too low, it has to go up."
I hope the above establishes that no, it doesn't have to go up.
= new reply since forum marked as read
It's all good, man.
No worries.
One thing I learned in my High School composition classes; "Write as if your reader has no idea what you are talking about!"
It can be difficult sometimes for someone well versed in a subject and used to talking with others similarly experienced.
But I'm sure you'll do fine.
And since I didn't say this earlier, Welcome to DU! And welcome to our little corner.
Glad to have you. 
