Philosophy: a system of principles for guidance in practical affairs. an attitude of rationality, patience, composure, and calm in the presence of troubles or annoyances.
Sports Betting Pure: A CHALLENGE…
The Dolphins score a touchdown and Homer celebrates (spilling his Duff beer in the process) while Lisa copies his cheering. Homer lets it slip that he bet $50 on the game, but Lisa doesn’t understand why.
The Simpsons, ‘Lisa the Greek’
Homer: [Gambling is] a little thing daddies do… to make football more exciting.
Lisa: What could be more exciting than the savage ballet that is pro football?
Homer: You like ice cream, don’t you?
Lisa: Uh huh.
Homer: And don’t you like ice cream better when it’s covered with hot fudge? And mounds of whipped cream? (getting carried away) And chopped nuts? And, ooh, those crumbled-up cookie things they mash up? Mmm, crumbled-up cookie things.
Lisa: So gambling makes a good thing even better?
Sports and Gambling: An Inevitable Match
The lures of both sports and gambling are apparent and ancient: throughout history, sports has served multiple functions considered essential to society; while gambling has had rising and falling prominence in societies of every place and age*. Given the excitement and the stakes common to both, it’s inevitable that the combination of sports and gambling would appear to many as a perfect match (as Homer explains simplistically), particularly during an age in which both are prominent.
*See The Social Function of Sports and The Ups And Downs Of Gambling for concise articles on these two themes.
Continue reading “Philosophy from Gambling: Psychology & Personal Development in ‘Sports Betting Pure’”
Stepping Stones 