Gambling takes many forms. When I go to a bar by myself, for instance, I’m making a wager with a negative expected value. Most of the time, I’ll stare at my phone. I’ll spend more money than I should. I’ll increase my likelihood of developing alcoholism.
But sometimes, in theory, I could meet the love of my life, I could hit it off with a future business partner, I could come to a realization that gives my life a purpose. All sorts of things could go right, and therein lies the conundrum.
I know I shouldn’t go to the bar by myself in the same way that I know I shouldn’t gamble or take drugs. The logic is clear: do it repeatedly, be a loser. But do it never, miss out on life’s greatest hits.
