Seven random thoughts

[m_mcgregor]

Random thought number one: What would life be like if there was no such thing as the placebo effect? I had that thought this afternoon and I've been mulling it over all day. I really can't imagine how different the world would be. So much would be different. Thousands of years of history would be different. It's a remarkably potent aspect of human

Comments

The Lottery

[troyguffey]

I agree with the dreams part. But I prefer to have an *actual* chance to win, so I buy a ticket for every drawing (for Powerball only). There's a difference between "zero chance" and "very little chance". You have to actually play to actually win.

When you play the Lottery, do it smart:

1. Play for amusement only. Realize that playing the Lottery is part of your entertainment budget. Lotteries are run FOR PROFIT. They don't make profits if people win more than enough to keep them playing.

2. Pay the minimum. There's no significant difference in chances of winning between buying one ticket, and buying two tickets. More tickets just increase your expenses.

3. Don't bother trying to statistic out a win unless you regard statistics as fun in themselves. The lotteries have guys hired to keep the lotteries as random as possible, and test their equipment to keep it that way.

4. You might as well pick at set of numbers and stick to them. There's no point in bouncing your picks around. If both you and the lotteries bounce around, I feel there is more chance you would bounce in opposite directions to miss. Although buying a quick pick at the last possible moment (so that you wouldn't have to share any winnings) has it's merits, too.

5. Repeat: Lotteries are entertainment, not investments. Winnings are an unexpected bonus.

Re: The Lottery

[d_tepes]

Oh, don't forget. If by some miracle you win the "big money" for goodness sake, collect through a lawyer! Don't let your name get out or else your life as you know it is over in the bad way, not the good way like a lottery should.