The Good, the Bad, and the Brackets
by Austin Kelley
I finished third overall in ESPN’s World Cup prediction game. I’d like to brag about it — there were more than a million entries, and I finished just one point shy of the $5,000 first prize – but I can’t. It’s not just because I won nothing for my truobles. It’s also because I didn’t try. Before filling out my bracket, I could have consulted statistics, broken down tactics, and carefully considered historic results. Instead, I just went with my first, unconsidered instinct, and vowed not to change a thing. When I did look back at my picks, I was appalled. Uruguay in the semifinals? Holland beating Brazil? Crazy. Read on.
Karma Chameleon
by Austin Kelley
History repeats itself, or mocks itself, or at least that’s what we like to believe. Read on.
Land of the Free
by Austin Kelley
For various reasons, mostly unintentional, I have more than a passing familiarity with Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek.
The Polanski Problem
by Austin Kelley
My wife thinks Lionel Messi looks like a young Roman Polanski. Read all about it.