🗳️ “Vote or Bet?” — Robinhood’s election betting. Cosm’s live football theater. McFlurry’s government fix.
Oct 29, 2024
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Explore the surprising world of election betting with Robinhood, and find out if it's a better predictor than traditional polls. Discover how Cosm is transforming live sports viewing by raising $250M for IMAX theater experiences. Dive into the humorous yet serious issue of McDonald’s malfunctioning McFlurry machines and the government's plans to fix them. Plus, learn about the incredible 250-year journey of Birkenstock from a cobbler's shop to a global footwear sensation!
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Quick takeaways
Robinhood's new betting feature on election outcomes raises questions about its accuracy compared to traditional polling methods in predicting voter sentiment.
Cosm's innovative immersive theaters provide a lucrative alternative for live sports viewing, addressing fan demand amid rising ticket prices while offering a shared experience.
Deep dives
Robinhood Introduces Election Betting
Robinhood has expanded its platform to include betting on the presidential election, allowing users to wager on candidates like Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. This move raises questions about the accuracy of betting markets compared to traditional polling methods. Interestingly, while betting markets have shown an increase in favor of Trump, traditional polls remain virtually unchanged, suggesting a divergence in voter sentiment. Furthermore, a significant bet of $28 million by an individual swayed prediction markets towards Trump, illustrating how large financial stakes can impact perceived probabilities.
Cosm's Immersive Sports Experience
Cosm is redefining live sports viewing by creating immersive theaters that combine the atmosphere of being at a game with the comfort of watching from home. The startup, which recently secured $250 million in funding, constructs venues that mimic the excitement of live sports events on massive 12K screens, offering an experience dubbed 'shared reality' with other fans. This innovative approach meets the growing demand for sports entertainment at a time when ticket prices for actual games are escalating. By situating these theaters near major stadiums, Cosm has devised a strategy that caters to excess fan demand and provides a more affordable alternative.
Government Intervention in McFlurry Machine Repairs
For decades, a significant portion of McDonald's McFlurry machines across America has been dysfunctional, leading to widespread frustration among customers. This issue stemmed from a monopoly held by the machine's manufacturer, which made repairs difficult and expensive. Recently, the U.S. Copyright Office granted an exemption to laws preventing unauthorized repairs, empowering repair personnel to fix these machines. In a twist, the website McBroken.com, which tracks machine statuses, was found to be linked to Wendy's, highlighting the clever marketing tactic employed by the smaller fast-food chain to capitalize on its competitor’s ongoing struggles.
You can now bet on the election outcome on Robinhood… but which is a better predictor, betting or polls?
Would you watch football in an Imax theater?... Because Cosm raised $250M for theatrical live sports.
Why are 15% of McD’s McFlurry Machines broken?... We’ll explain that plus the government’s fix.
Plus, the 3rd episode of our new show drops today: The untold origin story of Birkenstock — The most popular sandal of all time. Over 250 years, it’s gone from a German cobbler’s shop to the hippie movement to high fashion… and now it’s the 3rd biggest shoe brand on earth.
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