February 3, 2009

Knowledge is Not Psychic Ability

If I can guess a number you're thinking of. If I know what girl is going to get kicked off the Bachelor next. If I know who's going to call me before my phone rings. These are not psychic abilities. This is simply an awareness of something that someone else knows. That person has already thought of the number. The TV show has already been recorded. The person who is about to call me has already planned it. I'm not saying this isn't impressive, but I think as we learn more about the human mind, we're going to become less impressed that it can do something that a standard remote control can do (wirelessly communicate with other powerful computers e.g. brains). Now, if you predict something happening that NOONE else has planned out, then I'll start listening.
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February 2, 2009

Risk-Free Roulette

I've found the key to being debt free. And all it requires is a gracious man with a deep bankroll. Let's say you have $50,000 of student loan debt. Boy, wouldn't it be nice to get out from under it. So, how about Warren Buffett or Bill Gates starting a non-for-profit debt removal company? Here's the business model. They play high-stakes roulette, and put $50,000 on red. If they win, the debt's canceled and they get their money back. If they lose, they put $100,000 on red. If they win, the debt's canceled and they get their money back. If they lose, they put $200,000 on red, and so on. With near 50/50 odds, they will likely win within two rounds. But, even if they don't, the likelihood of losing 7 times in a row is under 1%. And they're not even close to their bankroll limit by then. The reason why everyone doesn't do this? Because they don't have the bankroll to keep doubling up, and there's a risk of losing EVERYTHING. With these guys, the risk is literally infinitesimal. Shall we play?
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