# I do not want to win the lottery: Am I alone? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 12, 2010, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398 "2010-07-12T15:28:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/41 "2010-07-12T21:03:03Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > -Not wanting to win, for want of a simpler life and rejection of “cash is king” hegemony This is exactly why I want to win. If you live a relatively simple life, money simply becomes a non-issue. When you don’t have enough, it’s a constant stress, whether at the fore or back of your mind. With millions, though, you want to go see a concert? Great! You want to host a big old barbecue? No problem! Your car breaks down on the side of the road? Get that sucker fixed! It removes the problem of scarcity from your personal life, leaving you able to enjoy your life without worrying about how you’re going to pay for it. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/42 "2010-07-12T21:34:02Z")
I love my work far too much to quit. With a sufficiently large lottery win, I would endow a Maeglin Chair at my favorite university. For me. I would also never do housework or pay bills again. I have a very low threshold for low-grade hassles, so I would definitely hire someone to take care of that day-to-day stuff for me. ---
**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/43 "2010-07-12T21:55:57Z")
I don’t play so I won’t win. I need the structure of a job or two and a couple of hobbies. I like to be alone and with money people would all want to use me and kiss up to me which I despise. I’m all set with phony friends and accountants that want to rip me off. When I had money it was very stressful. I love being poor! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/44 "2010-07-12T22:21:38Z")
> [@Hi\_Medlo](#): > > Here’s the problem I have with the lotterey: When you win it, you’re taking money from all those poor, desperate bastards you see standing in line spending money they shouldn’t. Fuck 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/45 "2010-07-12T22:28:48Z")
I want to win the lottery. > [@](#): > > The dreams came in like needy children > tugging at my sleeve > I said I have no way of feeding you > so leave. I’m a whore to a job that feeds me but not my passions. If I could shed the job that eats my time, why wouldn’t I? ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/46 "2010-07-12T23:52:40Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > -Not wanting to win, for want of a simpler life and rejection of “cash is king” hegemony > [@Bosstone](#): > > This is exactly why I want to win. If you live a relatively simple life, money simply becomes a non-issue. When you don’t have enough, it’s a constant stress, whether at the fore or back of your mind. With millions, though, you want to go see a concert? Great! You want to host a big old barbecue? No problem! Your car breaks down on the side of the road? Get that sucker fixed! > > It removes the problem of scarcity from your personal life, leaving you able to enjoy your life without worrying about how you’re going to pay for it. You want to reject “cash is king” hegemony by winning a bunch of cash, which will relieve your stress because . . . cash is king. I don’t think you thought that through very well. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/47 "2010-07-13T00:03:59Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I think my relationships would change. Oh yes. You win the lottery and all of a sudden you start hearing from cousins you didn’t even know you had. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/48 "2010-07-13T00:44:41Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Oh yes. You win the lottery and all of a sudden you start hearing from cousins you didn’t even know you had. 😃 And considering I have over 100 first cousins as it is… GAWD. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/49 "2010-07-13T01:28:35Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > You want to reject “cash is king” hegemony by winning a bunch of cash, which will relieve your stress because . . . cash is king. I don’t think you thought that through very well. He’s thought it through perfectly. He wants to avoid the stress of not having enough money by having enough money. Take the edge off, as it were. (Hell, I’m perfectly happy to go further and enjoy the pleasures of having way more than enough money. Hooray! Whee!) ---
**Author:** ![CutterJohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/91b2a8/32.png) [@CutterJohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CutterJohn)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/50 "2010-07-13T01:49:26Z")
If I ever won millions, I’d form a little indie game company. I’ve a few ideas rolling around in my head that I would love to see realized. The chief issue some people have with a lottery is they see it as an end, rather than a completely new beginning. Oh, sure, I’d sock away fuck you money, and keep a modest house in a place with low property taxes, but i’d certainly spend the majority trying to do something(imo) awesome, that also has a profit potential(or at least not lose it all potential). ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/51 "2010-07-13T01:50:50Z")
The way the lottery is funded gives me pause, so when I fantasize about sudden wealth it is the result of something I have done; either inventing something incredibly useful that everyone wants or writing a series of succcessful novels. Sometimes my “wealth untold” fantasies involve luxurious travel to exotic locales, but mainly I wish for health insurance and money for my son’s education, neither of which I have now. It’s just as fruitful as my “sliding doors” fantasies of how things would be if I’d made some different choices. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/52 "2010-07-13T01:51:34Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#): > > He’s thought it through perfectly. He wants to avoid the stress of not having enough money by having enough money. Take the edge off, as it were. I know what he’s talking about doing. It makes sense. Just not in the context of what he quoted me saying. His plan is accepting the hegemony of the almighty dollar. Exactly the opposite of what I said that he responded to. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/53 "2010-07-13T02:21:03Z")
> [@Hi\_Medlo](#): > > Here’s the problem I have with the lotterey: When you win it, you’re taking money from all those poor, desperate bastards you see standing in line spending money they shouldn’t. “Taking”? You sure that’s the right word? They are freely deciding to spend their $1 to purchase the chance to win a shitload. If you win instead, then you aren’t “taking” anything from them. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/54 "2010-07-13T03:12:13Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > I know what he’s talking about doing. It makes sense. Just not in the context of what he quoted me saying. His plan is accepting the hegemony of the almighty dollar. Exactly the opposite of what I said that he responded to. Okay, so I misunderstood. Just…don’t start about the proletariat and bourgeoisie, whatever you do. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/55 "2010-07-13T03:30:05Z")
I stand ready to shoulder the burden of enormous unexpected and unearned wealth. Those of you who are incapable of this and find yourself the victims of unexpected wealth, please PM me. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/56 "2010-07-13T03:45:34Z")
I wouldn’t want to win, and if I did win I would pay off my student loans and give the rest away. I’ve had times in my life where I did not have to work but had enough money. Those times sucked. I spent all day on the internet and ate lots of Doritos. I would like to indulge in my hobbies and travel…and I do. Even without winning the lottery, I’ve found ways to travel all over. I honestly don’t see my life getting any better if I had a ton of money. ---
**Author:** ![Acantha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@Acantha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acantha)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/57 "2010-07-13T04:26:47Z")
I’d love to win, but I’d have to set the money up in some kind of trust where I got an allowance or I’d blow it. I’d much rather have a decent yearly income and know I was taken care of than get a lump sum and end up broke again. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/58 "2010-07-13T10:16:07Z")
I trust myself to handle the windfall appropriately. Only one way to find out if this trust is well placed. Sooo, c’mon time travellers, give me a hand here! ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/59 "2010-07-13T10:43:43Z")
Weird, this OP showing up, because I was thinking this the other day. What if I did win? (I don’t play, but let’s play pretend.) Mr. Levins and I are fat cats all of a sudden, buying a bunch of stuff, and probably doing a lot of…nothing. I would be afraid that I would become horribly lazy and self-indulgent, just because I have absolutely zero reason to get up in the morning. And our friends…none of whom are remotely wealthy…we’d either have to make them rich too, which would probably make the friendship awkward, or we’d be the rich friends picking up the tab for everything and being resented and resentful of the difference in our situations. I dunno. I’m a pretty smart girl but the lotto has made fools of plenty of people. I wouldn’t worry about blowing the money, so much as the money changing my life and my goals and my friendships/family relationships in ways I can’t foresee or control. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398/60 "2010-07-13T11:55:37Z")
Hookers and blow is inappropriate for millionaires?? Go figure. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-want-to-win-the-lottery-am-i-alone/546398.md?page=4)