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100/1 Odds On 'First Contact' Within a Year

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the cross-your-fingers dept.

astroengine writes "After all the kerfuffle of 'Ambassadorgate' — when the UK media went nuts over the rumored promotion of Mazlan Othman to become the UN's first choice as mankind's alien point of contact — it would appear that gamblers saw this as a tip that an alien landing was imminent."

7 of 309 comments (clear)

  1. Let me be the first to say... by Mastadex · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Bullshit.

    --
    A morning without coffee is like something without something else.
    1. Re:Let me be the first to say... by SETIGuy · · Score: 3, Insightful

      It also depends upon the definition of "first contact". Physical contact with an intelligent alien species that has traveled to earth? Communications with an extraterrestrial species? Discovery of any form of extraterrestrial life? I'd need to know the specifics before I'd put money on either side of that bet...

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      Support SETI@home
  2. Game changer by Iamthecheese · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If aliens do visit massive fluctuations in currencies and wealth will render said bet meaningless. It only makes sense to vote against.

    --
    If video games influenced behavior the Pac Man generation would be eating pills and running away from their problems.
    1. Re:Game changer by MBGMorden · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I think you're right. Many people believe that the simple discovery of aliens would usher in some new era of either panic or cooperation for all of mankind.

      Based on what I've observed, I think it's most likely to be a simple case of few people caring. I'm sure some would claim it's a government conspiracy either way.

      You won't find a whole lot of people even concerned until they start whining about illegal aliens within our borders and the aliens taking our jobs.

      --
      "People who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."-Mark Twain
    2. Re:Game changer by TheKidWho · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Are you kidding? There was massive hysteria in the New World when the Europeans arrived...

  3. Not really worth it even for a sure thing by elrous0 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I could be better than 1% interest by putting the money in a good bank for a year. A sure thing, indeed...but still not worth the bet.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  4. It's a good tip... by Drakkenmensch · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ... that some bookies figured that by giving great odds on an impossible events, idiots would flock to give them money.