MPRE & Reality TV Episode 24: You Join the Betting Pool On Jeff’s Score

Posted by Alan Childress
At my school, the mailroom guys who run the sports “gaming” pools always seem to have chosen and eliminated the 24-10 result — or Duke in the Final Four — before the rest of us get the pickings (though this year it won’t be Duke at least for men’s).  Me?  I’m left with the chance to win $100 if only the score reflects three safeties by the end of the third quarter, or Slippery Rock makes the Final Four.  “Go The Rock.”  That is one college mascot you don’t want to screw with.

But not this time, baby!  I am picking 132 as Jeff’s final scaled MPRE score and intend to win this sucker. 

Please post your own estimate of Jeff’s score (0 to 150) in Comments here (which will show up later after someone posts them).  If you’re closest, you win a lunch at the next AALS (or sometime in Boston or New Orleans) courtesy Jeff.   At least I say so without his authorization.  Relatives of Jeff, and Jeff, may play as well.   His students are in fact expected to play, not only for the chance to win lunch with him where he won’t mention the UCC, but also better yet for just investing emotionally in having that feeling that he is going through what you are going through.  We will trust that he will report his score accurately even if it means he loses the pool and costs himself $17.50 in free food to someone else.   

A personal prediction and warning:  If you pick “79,” and win, don’t expect that he will follow through on this vicarious offer in any way.

Keep in mind that Jeff has recently been described this way by no less than David McGowan:  “Lipshaw is one of the best and most interesting writers currently working on ethics-related issues.”   Hazardous Use:  despite this accolade, choosing “150” is a sucker bet, like Vegas putting up the highly lucrative but illusory odds that next year the Oakland Raiders will run the table and finally join the ’72 Dolphins as the only unbeaten team.  But if one of his three kids wants to pick “150”  just to put more public pressure on him and be able to have that “at least you tried” faux-supportive parental-esque conversation with him after he scores 132 (priceless), well by all means do so.  Shame is the high-voltage cattle prod of all winners, and parental disappointment masked in Lifesavers speeches the ultimate secret to success.  Enjoy.