I find this interesting - how can we operate in an environment we we are paid to predict the future and yet convince ourselves that we do not predict future price?
Is it not true in fact that when I open my next buy, I do so because I believe price may go up? (In fact, I predict that price may go up.)
Just like the gun example - if I am correct, I get paid and can live to fight another day, if not, I am broke/dead (and out the game really)
As such, in my opinion, trading is a game of forecasting, predicting where price may go next.
Some of us may use fundamentals, others may use TA and still others may use NN's - in the end, we all try predict where price is likely to go next.
Well - my ideas for what it's worth.