Hypothetical Question: Gray's Sports Almanac

[Winter]

Let's say you've been handed Gray's Sports Almanac that records the sports for the next 50 years. Like in Back to the Future Part 2 this will ensure that you will win no matter the outcome on any sporting event meaning you're set for life. How would you use it, just once or twice, several times and how would you use the money?

And keep in mind this is a no lose scenario as the Almanac isn't actually dangerous, it doesn't warp your personality this is just something tells you who will win.

Me personally I wouldn't over use it, at most I would use it if I'm ever in a pinch or need to help someone. For example, say (God forbid) a friend of mine is in the hospital and their insurance will not cover the surgery that will help them. This is a perfect time to use the Almanac I just look for the right sporting event that will win big, get the money and give it to my friend so they'll be safe.

Now I would use it a few times for my own wants and needs but I just can't see myself abusing this sort of thing. Like at most I would use it to get funding for my first show/film/game and then keep it in a safe place where I would only use it for emergencies.

Just knowing that I have the power to win millions of dollars any time I want is enough I don't need to build a empire and become the richest woman in the world. All I really want in life is to have the ability to write my stories in peace and this sort of thing is really only needed to get that started.

Again, I'd use it more for emergencies then anything else.

[CharlesPhipps]

I mean I would absolutely use it to become rich if I could because the simple fact is that in the current climate, it would be good to be able to help everyone around you with financial security. However, I wouldn't trust the object because gambling to become rich is something that is watched by unpleasant people and I'd assume the Butterfly effect might be in effect.

[clearspira]

I mean I would absolutely use it to become rich if I could because the simple fact is that in the current climate, it would be good to be able to help everyone around you with financial security. However, I wouldn't trust the object because gambling to become rich is something that is watched by unpleasant people and I'd assume the Butterfly effect might be in effect.

Seriously, the Almanac is a Monkey's Paw. There is no way you could win big more than a few times before organised criminals or the government starts to take a keen interest in you because it is obvious that you are fixing these games somehow (even though technically you aren't). ''Fortunately'' for Biff, he became Hill Valley's organised crime and government.

Win low is probably the order of the day here. Every couple of months go to a different betting shop and win a relatively small amount to build up for savings or to invest.

[hammerofglass]

I bet you'd be able to get really reliable investment information from the book, too. That startup that has a major stadium named after it for the next fifty years is probably a great investment; the one that only appears on the venue name for a year or two stay far away.

[CharlesPhipps]

Seriously, the Almanac is a Monkey's Paw. There is no way you could win big more than a few times before organised criminals or the government starts to take a keen interest in you because it is obvious that you are fixing these games somehow (even though technically you aren't). ''Fortunately'' for Biff, he became Hill Valley's organised crime and government.

Win low is probably the order of the day here. Every couple of months go to a different betting shop and win a relatively small amount to build up for savings or to invest.

The comic tie-in also states that Biff was actually banned from Las Vegas and had to essentially bribe legalized gambling to exist in California so he could keep betting. He also was a mobster that had Richard Nixon's enemies killed.

[Winter]

Seriously, the Almanac is a Monkey's Paw. There is no way you could win big more than a few times before organised criminals or the government starts to take a keen interest in you because it is obvious that you are fixing these games somehow (even though technically you aren't). ''Fortunately'' for Biff, he became Hill Valley's organised crime and government.

Win low is probably the order of the day here. Every couple of months go to a different betting shop and win a relatively small amount to build up for savings or to invest.

The comic tie-in also states that Biff was actually banned from Las Vegas and had to essentially bribe legalized gambling to exist in California so he could keep betting. He also was a mobster that had Richard Nixon's enemies killed.

What I find most interesting about this discussion is, so far, most of us are agreed on the limited use angle. Like I said I would use it just a few times (I think 3 big ones in total) and only in emergencies if there was no alternative and everyone else seems to be of the same mindset.

After that is the question of what to do once we've gotten all we do with the Almanac? Destroy it, it is the safest option after all, this way there's no risk of abusing it afterword. Or do we tell a few friends about it and set up a plan to use it in a certain way. Let's say I got it and used it as I said I would. Then I told you and the others here and we decided to use it for a bit longer.

We set ground rules, everyone can use it only 3 times at most and we all have to wait a certain number of months or even years before using it again. We also have to keep it to ourselves, only the ones who know about the time can know about it which in this hypothetical scenario means just the four of us right now. No telling spouses, family or friends, not even as a joke.

Alternatively if could put it to a vote with only two options, use it as suggested or destroy it then and there. I will admit I would be tempted to keep it as there really doesn't seem to be any real drawbacks to using it outside of the obvious of the desire to abuse which is of course a real risk. As much we would all like to think we wouldn't become like Biff there is always that risk giving into temptation. "I can get as much money as I want and do all I want."

However, while the option should remain open to use it destroying it must be seriously considered. It may not be the one ring or a doomsday device but it can still destroy the people we are and turn us into those we hate.

[CharlesPhipps]

A pretty good premise for a movie is a group that has access to one of these things and then one of them goes drunk with power and wants it all for themselves.

[Winter]

A pretty good premise for a movie is a group that has access to one of these things and then one of them goes drunk with power and wants it all for themselves.

Hm some of them would have to use it. Also the theme should be more about how we don't know each other or ourselves as well as we'd like to think as I don't truly hold to the idea that power corrupts rather that power reveals. When you give someone the power to do what they always wanted to do then you see what they always wanted to do.

For example all I want out of this hypothetical scenario is to ensure that I can make my stories come to life which means I would really only need it once or twice and if it was just me I would likely destroy it or keep it in a safe place should I need again (though for safety reasons I would rather destroy it).

[Nealithi]

I think if you had this, you make one modest win to get you some stake money. You then use this for a few losses. Throw off the trail, then go for one big win.
After that the safest thing to do is shred then burn the thing. Do not share it. I have seen that most people are terrible at keeping secrets. They will make excuses to themselves to not keep a secret.

If you keep the book either someone else will find it before it runs out of predictions. Or you will be tempted with 'One more time. How could that hurt?' Humans are great at addicting themselves. The only way to escape the addiction is to remove what it is you are addicted to.

[Winter]

I think if you had this, you make one modest win to get you some stake money. You then use this for a few losses. Throw off the trail, then go for one big win.
After that the safest thing to do is shred then burn the thing. Do not share it. I have seen that most people are terrible at keeping secrets. They will make excuses to themselves to not keep a secret.

If you keep the book either someone else will find it before it runs out of predictions. Or you will be tempted with 'One more time. How could that hurt?' Humans are great at addicting themselves. The only way to escape the addiction is to remove what it is you are addicted to.

Can't argue with that I mean I am making excuses to keep it after I get what I need out of it if anything just to know I can use it again which just proves your point. I find it interesting that no one is suggesting to just destroy it outright at first though. So far everyone wants to use it, even if only once, and only once that has been done to get rid of it either by destroying it or hiding it.

No one here wants to use it as much as Biff did I think we're all terrified by the idea of what we would become but at the same time the idea of using it seems impossible to pass up. I think this is because it's a no loose scenario at least the first time you use it, you're gambling only not really because you know the outcome. There's no risk in losing and no real risk of hurting anyone or at least not hurting anyone who didn't know the risks signing in.

It's really after that first win that everyone seems a little less certain about. Us it once, no problem, anything after that is where things get tricky. No one here really likes the idea of using the Almanac after that first win and it seems to be agreed that it should be destroyed after you get what you need out of it. But I find it so interesting that no one can resist the idea of using it at least once.