4 ms·

If you have a certain set of skills/pedigree, your chances are much better than winning the lottery.

stavros 3y ago
I don't know, I'm not a good person to discuss this stuff with. My total expenses are $3k/mo and I don't really need any more than that. This makes my income and savings functionally infinite, so I don't see a point in going through the rat race to buy a yacht or a plane or a supercar I don't really want.
- fragmede 3y ago
  then why make the claim that the lottery is a good option?
  - stavros 3y ago
    Because if you're looking to make tens of millions, the lottery is about as good a chance to do that as a startup, except it takes less work to play the lottery.
    - lotsofpulp 3y ago
      People are not aiming for tens of millions. Just banking $5M to $10M gives you security against you and your descendants not being able to work due to thinks like disease or injury. Some people are willing to gamble and for this security, and others are not. Personally, a desk job with some politics does not sound like a bad tradeoff. You might have to live away from family for a little while, but you would be setting descendants up very well.
      - stavros 3y ago
        But if you're looking for security against not being able to work, you don't need to leave Europe. People unable to work can still live decently on government assistance, at least in the richer European countries.
        lotsofpulp 3y ago
        $5M to $10M asset lifestyle in the US is probably going to be nicer than the richer European country government welfare lifestyle. Again, it just depends what you want to bet on, but the odds are not terrible for a certain set of people, and the losing side of the bet is still earning a decent income.
        stavros 3y ago
        > $5M to $10M asset lifestyle in the US is probably going to be nicer than the richer European country government welfare lifestyle. Right, but it's also 0.1% vs 100%.
        lotsofpulp 3y ago
        It is also a bet with less than 100% probability that the quality of life European governments are currently offering welfare recipients will be maintained decades in the future. As far as I understand, the quality of life from the benefits has already been dropping, and with the demographic trends the way they are, the younger cohorts might not be so lucky.

I don't know, I'm not a good person to discuss this stuff with. My total expenses are $3k/mo and I don't really need any more than that. This makes my income and savings functionally infinite, so I don't see a point in going through the rat race to buy a yacht or a plane or a supercar I don't really want.

fragmede 3y ago
then why make the claim that the lottery is a good option?
- stavros 3y ago
  Because if you're looking to make tens of millions, the lottery is about as good a chance to do that as a startup, except it takes less work to play the lottery.
  - lotsofpulp 3y ago
    People are not aiming for tens of millions. Just banking $5M to $10M gives you security against you and your descendants not being able to work due to thinks like disease or injury. Some people are willing to gamble and for this security, and others are not. Personally, a desk job with some politics does not sound like a bad tradeoff. You might have to live away from family for a little while, but you would be setting descendants up very well.
    - stavros 3y ago
      But if you're looking for security against not being able to work, you don't need to leave Europe. People unable to work can still live decently on government assistance, at least in the richer European countries.
      - lotsofpulp 3y ago
        $5M to $10M asset lifestyle in the US is probably going to be nicer than the richer European country government welfare lifestyle. Again, it just depends what you want to bet on, but the odds are not terrible for a certain set of people, and the losing side of the bet is still earning a decent income.
        stavros 3y ago
        > $5M to $10M asset lifestyle in the US is probably going to be nicer than the richer European country government welfare lifestyle. Right, but it's also 0.1% vs 100%.
        lotsofpulp 3y ago
        It is also a bet with less than 100% probability that the quality of life European governments are currently offering welfare recipients will be maintained decades in the future. As far as I understand, the quality of life from the benefits has already been dropping, and with the demographic trends the way they are, the younger cohorts might not be so lucky.