Tune Out the Noise: How a Group of Thinkers Changed the Way We Invest

At Aspen Wealth Management, we believe great financial planning starts with clarity, and clarity often begins with asking better questions. That’s exactly what a small group of academics set out to do in the 1960s, sparking a shift that still impacts investors today.

In the documentary Tune Out the Noise, acclaimed filmmaker Errol Morris explores the origins of a movement that reshaped the investment world. Featuring interviews with Nobel Prize-winning economists like Eugene Fama, Robert Merton, and Myron Scholes, the film tells the story of how data-driven research challenged long-standing Wall Street norms. The result was a new way of thinking that emphasized broad diversification, long-term discipline, and cost-effective investing—principles that guide many modern portfolios, including those managed by Dimensional Fund Advisors.

Rather than relying on speculation or market timing, these pioneers developed a rules-based approach grounded in academic research. Their work laid the foundation for index investing, introduced greater accessibility for everyday investors, and helped advisors shift the conversation from chasing returns to creating thoughtful, goals-based plans.

At Aspen, we’ve long aligned our philosophy with this evidence-based mindset. We know that markets can be unpredictable, but your financial plan doesn’t have to be. By focusing on what we can control—such as diversification, risk management, and consistent decision-making—we help our clients build durable strategies that stay on course, even when headlines don’t.

Tune Out the Noise is more than a documentary. It’s a timely reminder of why smart investing begins with patience, research, and perspective. We invite you to watch the film and reflect on how a grounded approach to investing can help you move forward with purpose.

If you’d like to talk more about how these principles can apply to your own financial plan, we’re here to help. Let’s start the conversation.

Watch Tune Out the Noise Here