4 ms·

I used to think of the lottery as a suckers bet, until I realized that for some people it is basically their only shot at transformative wealth. Put another wa

by yojo 4y ago

I used to think of the lottery as a suckers bet, until I realized that for some people it is basically their only shot at transformative wealth. Put another way: If you’re poor, unconnected, and uneducated, your odds of becoming a billionaire are zero. If you’re poor, unconnected, uneducated, and play the lottery, your odds are ever so slightly higher.

listenallyall 4y ago
This is ridiculous. First, it's untrue. Ask Dre or Jay-Z. More importantly, since when is "transformative wealth" hundreds of millions of dollars? If you grew up truly poor and uneducated, making a steady $80,000 a year -- decent house, raise a family, put a little away -- is a transformation.
- alphabettsy 4y ago
  The odds of ending up like Dr. Dre or Jay-Z are worse than the lottery and require even more significant time and monetary commitment. You’re better off going with your latter suggestion of trying to make a decent living which has pretty good odds.
armchairhacker 4y ago
ehh, going from poor to successful is hard and unlikely, but it’s a lot more likely than winning the lottery. Maybe your best shot at becoming a billionaire is indeed winning some jackpot. But if you’re looking for anywhere from moderate wealth to millions, you’re much better off trying to find a job and start a business.
WelcomeShorty 4y ago
Neither am I poor, unconnected or uneducated, but I play the lottery once or twice a year since I enjoy the prospect of ridicules "transformative wealth". So I buy my tickets as long as possible before the draw, get to fantasise about what if and have a couple of weeks of happy, crazy dreams. To me that is worth the 10 or so bucks, no matter the odds being so badly stack against me, I guess that is so for many people (who are not addicted to gambling).

4 ms·

I used to think of the lottery as a suckers bet, until I realized that for some people it is basically their only shot at transformative wealth. Put another wa

by yojo 4y ago

listenallyall 4y ago
This is ridiculous. First, it's untrue. Ask Dre or Jay-Z. More importantly, since when is "transformative wealth" hundreds of millions of dollars? If you grew up truly poor and uneducated, making a steady $80,000 a year -- decent house, raise a family, put a little away -- is a transformation.
- alphabettsy 4y ago
  The odds of ending up like Dr. Dre or Jay-Z are worse than the lottery and require even more significant time and monetary commitment. You’re better off going with your latter suggestion of trying to make a decent living which has pretty good odds.
armchairhacker 4y ago
ehh, going from poor to successful is hard and unlikely, but it’s a lot more likely than winning the lottery. Maybe your best shot at becoming a billionaire is indeed winning some jackpot. But if you’re looking for anywhere from moderate wealth to millions, you’re much better off trying to find a job and start a business.
WelcomeShorty 4y ago
Neither am I poor, unconnected or uneducated, but I play the lottery once or twice a year since I enjoy the prospect of ridicules "transformative wealth". So I buy my tickets as long as possible before the draw, get to fantasise about what if and have a couple of weeks of happy, crazy dreams. To me that is worth the 10 or so bucks, no matter the odds being so badly stack against me, I guess that is so for many people (who are not addicted to gambling).