Something that would be banned if I WAS IN CHARGE: those radio and TV quizzes where there are three answers and two are obviously wrong, because there’s some law preventing people from just doing prize draws on TVs. Either change the law or bring proper quizzes back. Bah.
Woah, Cerebus! It's always good to see someone diving deep into this classic. Sounds like an intense, but worthwhile journey.…
Haha, this is so savage! Some of these points are kinda true though, like the expensive records thing. I know…
Wow, what a mess! It's impressive how problematic his opinions were even back then. But the discussion is interesting for…
Eleven years later (couldn't hang on another 3), I just wanted to add "I agree".. it's damn funky
Thanks for the deep dive into all of this lunacy. I started reading Cerebus in high school, when it was…
It's been a heck of a ride revisiting Cerebus through your eyes and analysis. Thank you for taking the time…
I think this is more in the sense of "anyone else Sim chooses"
The self-contained Five Bar Gate issue and the issue where Cerebus and the Stooges stumble their way through 100% darkness…
I always assumed this was to encourage as many people as possible to text in because they all think ‘that’s easy’. Actually, I see what you mean, they can’t just say ‘text in and pay 50p to be entered in a draw’.
I used to ring in all the time for the early morning GMTV quizzes when I was small (small enough not to understand phone charges but large enough for it not to be TV-AM); I thought I was dead clever cos I always knew the answers.
I’d be interested on the psychological differences between “winning a raffle” and “winning a competition” no matter how low the level of skill is. I bet one gets people texting more.
(Grumpy Old Tom!!! Its just a miniscule bit of fun).
I remember hearing (a year or two ago) that there was going to be a change in the law on this, coming into effect in 2007, but I can’t find any evidence of one. – Mark M
Yes, there has to be an element of skill in these damn things.
Is the writer of the post:
A) Tom Ewing?
B) Batman?
C) Jesus Christ?
Found it. It’s covered in the 2005 Gambling Act, which comes into force in 2007. It’s mentioned in this piece (http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,,1739038,00.html) and the act itself is at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2005/20050019.htm but I can’t say I’ve got the patience to find what it really says… – Mark M (one day I’ll learn how to do nice links)
Key part of the act boils down to the following:
(5) A process which requires persons to exercise skill or judgment or to display knowledge shall be treated for the purposes of this section as relying wholly on chance if-
(a) the requirement cannot reasonably be expected to prevent a significant proportion of persons who participate in the arrangement of which the process forms part from receiving a prize, and
(b) the requirement cannot reasonably be expected to prevent a significant proportion of persons who wish to participate in that arrangement from doing so.
If it relies on chance it is a lottery, which comes under gambling rules.