Seth Godin

I agree up to a point tho I'm pretty sure in my case arriving at the "destination" of winning anything much over £10 would, in fact, contribute to my happiness! But yes, its the anticipation that makes buying the ticket more than a mundane chore for a very remote chance of winning anything!

best part of buying a ticket is the "oh I'd do..."

I believe the 2 can be intertwined with certain personality traits, not all, but some are very capable.

i buy a lottery ticket thinking I'm going to win the lottery..and then I plan out what I would do with all my millions...

i stopped buying lottery tickets because I didnt win. Being happy is a choice. No amount of $$ can change that.

Without going into exhaustive detail on socio-economic demographics, for the most part, I think that this would apply to "casual" purchasers of lottery tickets, people who know the odds and are not spending money chasing after empty promises. This can best be seen when jackpots start getting buzz and media attention and which results in a sharp ... See Moreincrease in purchases among those who do not regularly play the lottery. I think the base of the lottery system are people who are playing out of desperation for a quick fix for that which ails them. Living in Las Vegas, you see and hear the stories over and over again.

Funny. I thought I was buying lottery tickets all these years so I could covertly dip into a convenience store to pick up a chocolate bar without my son finding out... Who knew? :*)

Money is like MSG; it enhances what's already there. I already have a wonderful, happy life, so a few million would allow me the freedom to better enjoy what I already have. If I were unhappy and expected the money to buy happiness for me, then that's where the problem comes in.

How true. And how sad as well. Some people say lottery ticket purchases are a tax on the stupid, but really it is more a tax on those needing a chemical release caused by anticipation, or addiction.

I got a buzz posting this!

You can keep the possibility, the chance for recognition, and the chemical high of anticipation, just show me the money!!

I agree, but today on Oprah, when I was rebounding, there was a very happy couple who won $5.5 million, paid off their home,remodeled and are traveling the world. I was disappointed that they had not done anything charitable, with the exception of occasionally anonymously picking up checks of other tables when out for dinner.

or for the ever familiar feeling of losing!!