The casino tacks on
its vig or vigorish on the various bets it offers
either by winning more decisions (the pass line,
for example wins 251 times for the casino but only
244 times for the player) or by taking a tax out
of the winnings (you are paid 4 to 1 on the 5 to
1 Any Seven bet, for example).
So why do we buy books
if we know that someone is making a profit on us?
Obviously, we buy books because this book will make
us smarter, or that book will make us healthier,
or wiser, or this one will thrill us, or scare us,
and those will touch us, or they will give us insights
on life, on money, on our loved-ones, on God or
the universe around us or within us. Those are the
hooks that keep the publishing companies going.
Publishers exist to make money. We gladly give them
our money in exchange for the contents of the book.
Of course, all businesses
do this. Cars are sold ostensibly to get you from
point A to point B, but the selling point isn’t
just transportation. It’s attitude. Self image.
The car commercials make you think that the sexy
salesgirl comes as an option with the car, or that
a daring adventure is just a purchase away in your
four-wheel drive, or that you’ll be cool, or
with it, or where it’s at, or that everyone
will know just how wealthy you are and boy will
they be envious. You buy the car but you also buy
the vision.
Gambling
Within Your Means Part 2
Good
Casinos Home
