What if a GMU professor (most likely of Middle East studies, or women's studies, or something similar) speaks in class so disparagingly of Messrs. Caplan and Henderson that one of her students shoots them both, causing injury to Caplan and death to Henderson? Does Henderson's estate win the bet? Does it depend on the order in which the bullets hit?
I think Brian's view is "put your money where you mouth is" and even a small money bet gets people to take your view more seriously. If it were me, I agree that a gentlemen's bet would be fine. Perhaps making it a money bet also pushes both sides to clarify exactly what it is they are betting on.
Taking yourself a bit too seriously.
What if My Favorite Martian flies in, shoots Bryan Caplan with his X-Ray blaster, and fries the corpse with his flying saucer exhaust when he leaves?
What if a GMU professor (most likely of Middle East studies, or women's studies, or something similar) speaks in class so disparagingly of Messrs. Caplan and Henderson that one of her students shoots them both, causing injury to Caplan and death to Henderson? Does Henderson's estate win the bet? Does it depend on the order in which the bullets hit?
Isn't there a flaw here? Not that I think you would do it, but you could water down your writings between now ad 2031 to win the bet.
For $50? Unlikely.
Right, but still the incentive, however small, is misaligned. Might as well be a gentlemen's bet.
I think Brian's view is "put your money where you mouth is" and even a small money bet gets people to take your view more seriously. If it were me, I agree that a gentlemen's bet would be fine. Perhaps making it a money bet also pushes both sides to clarify exactly what it is they are betting on.
Yes, even a small amount of money can convey an "official" win - and make enhance the bragging rights.
I thought universities existed to promote debate to get to truth. Silly me!
Would be interesting to know when this was first published.
I figured the date stamp is correct. In this case, 1/27/21.
So one would think