Octopus or Economist: Who Would You Trust?

Quite entertaining...


Octopus or Economist: Who Would You Trust?
Published: Wednesday, 7 Jul 2010 | 9:20 AM ET
By: Patrick Allen
CNBC Senior News Editor

Paul the Octopus has become a global celebrity following his recent success predicting the results of Germany’s World Cup games.

With those who have nothing better to do watching on, Paul has been put into a tank and asked to swim toward one of two symbols representing the German national team and their next opponents in the World Cup.

Paul has been very successful so far and is predicting that Spain will be victorious in Wednesday's semifinal. At CNBC we decided we would take a break from fretting over European stress tests, austerity and the risk of double-dip recession and take a serious look at whether a cephalopod mollusk with two options is more use than a scholar of the dismal science.

“With a success rate of 70 percent I would consider hiring Paul,” HSBC Chief Economist Stephen King said.

....

Paul, though, is an English Octopus in a German restaurant predicting that Spain will win. That is real backbone from a guy who does not even have one.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals want Paul released to continue his sage-like predictions in a safe, less-high-profile location. CNBC backs this call and would like to point out that no animals or economists were harmed in the writing of this story.

Full text => http://www.cnbc.com/id/38122741