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Putting Paul the Octopus to the Test: New Questions
Filed under: Looked Into Tagged: animal, Ayn Rand, football, Netherlands, octopus, Paul the Octopus, Pollux, soccer, Spain, World Cup
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Pollux writes:
You have to admire Paul the Octopus’ bravery: predicting Germany’s loss in the World Cup game against Spain while residing in a German aquarium? Gutsy move (do octopuses have guts?).
The Germans and the Argentines (Paul also predicted Argentina’s loss against England) are up in arms, but the eight-armed Paul blithely continues to do his work.
To defer to animals as oracular messengers is as old as civilization itself. Ancient Egyptians consulted divine animals such as “The Bull Who is in Hermonthis, Lord of Medamud, Who is in Tod.”
Octopuses are said to be highly intelligent, and Paul’s prognostication proved correct against the face of popular opinion, namely that the Germans would handily beat Spain and advance to the World Cup Final against the Netherlands.
I’m impressed, and Paul’s predictions make me want to ask Das Krakenorakel questions unrelated to World Cup soccer.
Paul, is the war in Afghanistan a big mistake?
CHOICE #1: Yes
CHOICE #2: Define “mistake.”
Paul, is there life in other parts of the universe?
CHOICE #1: Yes, but you’ll only find it in octopus form.
CHOICE #2: We’re all alone, so exceedingly, extremely alone.
Paul, what is your opinion on Ayn Rand’s criticisms of altruism and her overall philosophy regarding selfishness and its place within a larger societal framework founded on capitalism?
CHOICE #1: Netherlands.
CHOICE #2: Spain.
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Dashes, some say, “are particularly useful in a sentence that is long and complex.” Emdashes—like an em dash itself—provides a thoughtful pause amid the hubbub.
Emdashes, founded in 2004, is written and drawn by Emily Gordon, Martin Schneider, Pollux, Jonathan Taylor, and Benjamin Chambers, as well as occasional guest contributors. All posts before October 2008 are by Emily Gordon.
The site was designed by House of Pretty with illustrations by Jesse R. Ewing.
Additional drawings are by Carolita Johnson and Pollux (author of our web comic, "The Wavy Rule"). The Emdashes pencil logo is by Jennifer Hadley, based on a 1943 Dorothy Gray ad.
Other writing by Emily Gordon
- Reviews: theater writing (for Time Out Chicago)
- Profile: Valerie Casey, Designers Accord founder, is spearheading the design of sustainability (for SXSW World)
- Feature: Rea Irvin: visionary art director, bon vivant, New Yorker founding father (for Print)
- Slide show: the Coney Island Mermaid Parade (for NYCgo.com)
- Feature: Muslim immigration iconography in the Netherlands, and an interview with Ayaan Hirsi Ali (for Print)
- Review: King's Gambit: A Son, a Father, and the World's Most Dangerous Game by Paul Hoffman (for Newsday)
- Homage: Celebrating lindy-hop legend Frankie Manning (for NYCgo.com)
- Inquiry: Does a New Republic redesign mean a change of tune? (for Print)
- Interview: James Surowiecki on what's next for the wisdom of crowds (for Assignment Zero)
- Interviews: four up-and-coming designers under 30 (for Print)
- Profile: novelist and dance critic Laura Jacobs (for Newsday)
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Comments
Great article! We need to protect him from becoming octo-strudel.
la verdad me impresiona esto y quisiera saber muchas cositas ….algun dia yo he de ser una abogada muy conocida?
Claro que sí, Elizabeth!