If my favorite teams aren't involved in a championship (and they never are), I always root for the team that's never won, or if they both have, the underdog. Therefore, I'm pleased the Angels won. :)

Posted October 31, 2002 2:32 PM by Scott Janssens

Yep. They had my vote when they blew out the Yankees.

Posted October 31, 2002 3:25 PM by John Farrell

My d-i-l said she heard Eddie Izzard caling in on a sports show. He had been traveling and needed the score. Was really upset when he heard the Giants lost.

Posted October 31, 2002 8:07 PM by marty

It occurs to me that another approach to taxonomy would be to pick out the human characteristics or responses that the scam preys upon.

They're not all as simple as taking advantage of greed--the Spanish Prisoner could be played to take advantage of sympathy, for example. What else? Poor math skills. Fear. Confusion. Surprise. Poor powers of observation. Credulity. Greed. Vanity (as when one feels flattered to be included in a "special opportunity.")

To be sure, many scams probably take advantage of several of these. A 3-card monte game takes advantage of poor powers of observation (a good underhand throw is hard to detect), vanity ("how hard can it be?"), and credulity (anyone over the age of 10 should know better).

Posted November 2, 2002 2:29 PM by Adam Rice

oops, wrong link!

Posted November 2, 2002 2:30 PM by Adam Rice