When I die, I want the doctor Pennock to write my ob. Then, I am sure only the good things will be highlighted.
On InTrade: All the economists blogging about their prediction markets never mentioned the numerous disputes about the non-sport contracts (North Korean Missile, Closure of Gitmo, Departure of Hosni Mubarak, US Debt Ceiling, etc. etc. etc. etc.).
On John Delaney’s death: He did something very risky (climbing the top of the mount Everest) for his own pleasure, and he left a widow and a bunch of orphans. According to one InTrade trader, his personality raised red flags in the past.
Disclosure: I am not an investor in prediction market companies, contrary to some lauding commentors under the David Pennock post.
I’d be happy to write your ob, Chris. Well, not actually happy that you died of course.
It’s true I’m even less likely than usual to say something bad when someone dies.
On North Korea, etc.: Wording a non-sports contract in an airtight way is surprisingly difficult. Even IEM with their pages-long contract definitions ran into this problem in the Reform party nomination. Because Everything is Obvious after the fact, it’s easy to be outraged when things go wrong.
A few nitpicks:
* would you say the people who died in space shuttle accidents who had kids were reckless and made poor choices?
* “orphan” is not the right word
I never said that non-sport contracts are difficult to write up, I said that economists and researchers who publicize InTrade in their blogs *never* mention to the public the numerous disputes about those contracts.
Doctor Dave, would you mind reading *aloud* this list of Mount Everest fatal victims to your lovely wife:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_deaths_on_eight-thousanders
http://godheadv.blogspot.com/2010/04/abandoned-on-everest.html
Thanks.
There’s a big difference between doing something very risky for your own selfish pleasure, and doing it as part of your work and for the progress of the civilization. Can you feel the difference?
Cordially,
Chris