In case that explanation was still too technical (it was accurate though, good job zem), consider it this way: You win the lottery. You choose to have the mone

In case that explanation was still too technical (it was accurate though, good job zem), consider it this way: You win the lottery. You choose to have the money earned over your lifetime, instead of a lump sum. However, after a few years, the state reneggs on the original offer, and gives you the lump sum, dramatically less than what you had contractually signed for. It's that simple. You're offered x, with the understanding x matures (like a government bond). The potential worth of x is immutable, but Zynga turned around and offered x/2.