I agree that the stock market is rigged. Index funds are the safest way to go although one might not enjoy big gains.

Trend trading does not work. Obviously everyone knows the trends but some lose and some win. That game is also rigged from whales that sell false hopes and pull out early with inside training. Most traders, on the long run, are going to suffer big losses even if they know the trends.

"Computer algorithms are designed to front run your order. So, the actual investor pays more / gets fleeced with each transaction."

Read "Flash Boys". it describes this very well.