Unsubstantiated evo-pop-psych incoming: I have believed for a long time that accurately assessing your chances of success on big bets is maladaptive. Ambitiou

Unsubstantiated evo-pop-psych incoming: I have believed for a long time that accurately assessing your chances of success on big bets is maladaptive. Ambitious projects (whether they be science, construction or mammoth hunting) could benefit society enough that on a societal level they're good even if a lot of them fail, but the benefit to the individuals taking on the risk could be low enough that it's not worth it for them (due to the diminishing returns of additional wealth on an individual level). Gambling is just exploiting this mechanism to extract wealth.