Investors should be a tough lot in uncertain times: they do after all make it their business to advance in the face of the unknown. Even so, the FT’s series on the future of investing may have sent readers into a state of nervous introspection, pondering what future – if any – there is for investors.

Retail investors especially have reason to feel shaken up. After a half-decade that seemed (and was) too good to be true, many had put memories of previous market implosions behind them, only to be shocked by greater turmoil than anyone imagined possible.