This is one of those ads that throws so much insulting Stupid at the viewer that it's hard to decide what to focus on. A lot of the commentators are fixated on the idea of betting on Jesus rising from the dead- and the comment section has predictably become a silly debate over who wins that Not-A-Bet-Don't-Call-It-A-Bet. Being an adult in the 21st century, I have zero interest in wading into that fetid swamp.
As a student of history, I was more taken by the image of Paul Revere warning "the British are coming" while riding through what looks to be a burning city. Like, what the actual hell? If the British were responsible for those flames, wouldn't the people in the town have gotten the hint way before Revere showed up? This looks like a guy running through the streets of Pompeii while lava flows down and smoking rocks are crashing everywhere yelling "Vesuvius is Erupting!" No S--t, Sherlock.
What does this have in common with Jesus's rising from the dead? Well, neither happened. Ok, I went there. But just for a moment.
What REALLY interests me is labeling Kalshi for what it is- an online Bucket Shop. In the 19th century, the Bucket Shops were open-street "markets" where people could bet (excuse me, "take futures in") whether particular stocks would go up or down. They didn't involve the actual purchase of stock any more than current betting apps involve buying shares in sports teams. Exactly like Kalshi, they didn't involve the transfer of actual product at all. In 1906 the Supreme Court closed down the Bucket Shops by declaring them to be engaged in illegal gambling.
Kalshi is no different. It's a Bucket Shop you don't have to sneak out to in disguise to avoid being spotted and judged by your friends. But in every other respect, it's gambling on steroids. "Future Markets." Give me a break.
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