Put Some Money on That Talk

Inspired from a conversation with an ultracrepidarian about money matters. You always find people that readily hand out advises solicited and not out there.

I had this small talk with a colleague about the stock market and in swoops another character that overhears the chatter. I didn't appreciate the new company but I noticed their effort to lean their closer ear before inviting themselves in the conversation.

"Well I would bet on X company to go up when this happens..."

I knew they didn't really trade or actively pay attention to market news so I just made a remark containing a differing opinion.

They disagreed with such conviction that it made me offer a bet on their claim. It wasn't big money but substantial enough to pay for a few lunches.

"If you're so sure about this, I'll throw in X amount if you get it right" nonverbatim since we're speaking local dialect.

There was a pause and I just looked them in the eye with a poker face. They bite and I lose, it's fine. I'll just treat it as how I lose trading stocks for the same conviction.

It's not the money. It's the message.

If you're so sure about what your saying, putting some value on the line to back up a claim speaks for itself. I didn't make the bet knowing my opinion was absolutely right. I made the bet knowing my bias could still be wrong but has a greater probability to be right. And I want to send the message to the other person that they should just stfu if they can't commit to what they say.

I chose money because it's a physical means to convey a symbolic value to whatever message was spoken. If you're so sure of some outcomes, why not get rich while doing it. It's a challenge on whether the other party really stands by their beliefs, if they are convinced of certainty, then there's no need to worry about losing the bet.

I am just glad prediction markets have several steps to hinder me from splurging money. I know I could still be wrong about my calls but I'm at least convinced enough to commit to something.

It doesn't have to be money. It can be something that stings you when you lose it while you stand with what you say. For intangible things, pride and dignity also works.

Needlessly to say, I didn't get invited to dinner with their friend group after that.

Thanks for your time.

Update: Hive account@adamada, I paid out 0.394 HIVE and 0.000 HBD to reward 2 comments in this discussion thread.

ultracrepidarian

I learned this one relatively recently from youngest, it's one of his favourite words and will probably end up being one of mine too if I can remember it for long enough XD

if they can't commit to what they say

I think a lot of people do just say whatever because they don't need to commit to it so that was an interesting way of challenging that.

Probably more effective than my lizard stares anyway XD

_{half the reason I lizard stare is straight up because I'm terrible at face to face and it will take me about that long to process and understand what you just said and I have the wit of a lump of dead wood}

I'm assuming they either didn't take the wager or lost with that outcome ^_;

I just think it's BS to have an opinion just for the sake of having an opinion without any conviction to it. One could just change their mind and say their take is wrong and that's fine, that's humility in a different context. But to frame it with confidence knowing they don't have any consequences for having an opinion? I think some inner thoughts or thinking out loud moments should just be kept to themselves.

The lizard stare is probably a protection of our species from your judging gaze.

Stating opinions (to see if there's acceptance/pushback/avenues for discussion) is one way to learn so I think people should only keep it to themselves if they don't want to be challenged.

The lizard stare seems to be considered the judging/judgemental gaze so not sure that helps XD