> You do not create wealth - you make another poor soul, likely a gambling addict, further burdened by that addiction. Meanwhile, the only person you're "creating wealth" for is the guy with his feet up that owns the poker room.
Does a sportsman make wealth? What about a professional chess player? Snooker player? Pool hustler?
What about a brewery, "further burdening that addiction" of alcoholism? What about the barman what served the drink? Just creating wealth for the pub? The sommelier?
What if I start a start-up that's about 'social' betting, like a betfair exchange about film stars? What if I shake up the gambling industry with my social facebook Zynga poker that launches real-money tables?
Your concept of what is a 'valued' job seems very narrow.
Gambling is an enjoyable past-time for millions, throughout history, in cultures around the world. For every sad story of gambling addition, that are thousands who enjoy gambling responsibly on a recreational basis, just for every alcoholic there are thousands that enjoy drinking socially. And some social gamblers sometimes blow a bit too much, just like social drinkers sometimes go overboard at the weekends. Things aren't black and white.
And those professionals provide the entertainment that others enjoy, either directly (from spectators on TV) or indirectly (providing that example that 'the game can be beat').
Sure it's not the most worthwhile job in the world in the grand scheme of directly creating wealth, or improving man-kind. But then, dare I say it, nor do do many a start-up.
You've definitely got a point. But I still feel that even most of the other things you mentioned create more wealth. I'll try and explain my feelings, but I might do a poor job of it.
Sure, professional sports players, chess players, etc. are not creating material wealth (I'll sidestep the hustler issues for now). The thing is, they are creating wealth by pg's definition, i.e. creating something people want (entertainment, in this case, that people can view).
Compare that with pro poker players. Ask most players what they want (who they want to play against), and they won't tell you that they want to play against a pro. I think pros make most of their money, "preying" on poor players who don't realize they're up against a pro. In that sense, pro players are not really creating wealth, they're tricking other people.
Of course, I'm completely ignoring a part of the poker world which does create wealth, i.e. the televised matches. These are obviously equal to spectator sports. Still, I think the majority of players who grind out a living playing against weaker players really aren't adding wealth to the world.
Hope that was clear. I'm not anti-poker players or anything, I love poker, I'm just explaining why I would never do it for a living.
Does a sportsman make wealth? What about a professional chess player? Snooker player? Pool hustler?
What about a brewery, "further burdening that addiction" of alcoholism? What about the barman what served the drink? Just creating wealth for the pub? The sommelier?
What if I start a start-up that's about 'social' betting, like a betfair exchange about film stars? What if I shake up the gambling industry with my social facebook Zynga poker that launches real-money tables?
Your concept of what is a 'valued' job seems very narrow.
Gambling is an enjoyable past-time for millions, throughout history, in cultures around the world. For every sad story of gambling addition, that are thousands who enjoy gambling responsibly on a recreational basis, just for every alcoholic there are thousands that enjoy drinking socially. And some social gamblers sometimes blow a bit too much, just like social drinkers sometimes go overboard at the weekends. Things aren't black and white.
And those professionals provide the entertainment that others enjoy, either directly (from spectators on TV) or indirectly (providing that example that 'the game can be beat').
Sure it's not the most worthwhile job in the world in the grand scheme of directly creating wealth, or improving man-kind. But then, dare I say it, nor do do many a start-up.