The end of the world? I wouldn't bet on it

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There are several things I am looking forward to over the next few days -  repeats on the telly, Christmas dinner, everybody being in a good mood, a few days of R and R....

That is of course if we all make it to Christmas, because as most of us know, tomorrow is the end of the world.

If you believe the ancient Mayan prophecy, the universe will grind to a sudden and abrupt halt on December 21.

According to Reuters, one in 10 of us are a bit jittery at the prospect of the world ceasing to turn at the stroke of midnight.

The Russian Minister of Emergency Situations has been forced to issue a denial that the world is going to end.

Authorities in the village of Bugarach in the South of France have barred access to a mountain where some believe a UFO will rescue them.


It might not be such a merry Christmas after all, however, I am not going to let it get me down.

I don’t think I’ll be fleeing to any emergency bunkers, stocking up on rations or digging tunnels in the back garden.

And there is one thing I shall definitely not be doing - placing bets on the world ending.

Odd but true - Paddy Power  are taking bets with odds of 5000/1 that the world will end tomorrow.

That means if you stake £1, you stand to pick up a return of £5000 plus your original quid.

It sounds like a fantastic deal, but isn’t there one problem, a seemingly obvious flaw?

Even if you were convinced of the validity of the prediction, and the world does end, you would still lose out surely.

And if you did manage to survive the Apocolypse, how would you collect your winnings?

If you ask me, you are much better off putting your  money on the world not ending, at a less generous 1/1000.

The only problem is that Paddy Power has set a limit of £10 per bet - well, at least you get a quid back.

A spokesman said people have actually been putting their money on the world coming to an end.

He said: “Cheer up. ‘It’s not the end of the world’ may have a different meaning come Saturday morning.”

I think I’ll play safe either way and keep my cash in my pocket.




Comments

  1. Rob21 December 2012 at 12:25

    "If you believe the ancient Mayan prophecy, the universe will grind to a sudden and abrupt halt on December 21."

    Except that the Maya made no such prophecy. Great journalism, Nathan.

    ReplyDelete

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