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Greeson: Mega-interest in Mega Millions, peddling a different look at bike stats, obit observation

A Mega Millions lottery play slip is seen in a local grocery store, Monday, July 25, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. Across the U.S., state lottery systems use that revenue to boost education, tourism, transportation and much more. Now that the giant Mega Millions lottery jackpot has ballooned to more than $1 billion, state officials are hoping increased national interest in securing the top prize will result in more funding for their own causes. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
A Mega Millions lottery play slip is seen in a local grocery store, Monday, July 25, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. Across the U.S., state lottery systems use that revenue to boost education, tourism, transportation and much more. Now that the giant Mega Millions lottery jackpot has ballooned to more than $1 billion, state officials are hoping increased national interest in securing the top prize will result in more funding for their own causes. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File) A Mega Millions lottery play slip is seen in a local grocery store, Monday, July 25, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. Across the U.S., state lottery systems use that revenue to boost education, tourism, transportation and much more. Now that the giant Mega Millions lottery jackpot has ballooned to more than $1 billion, state officials are hoping increased national interest in securing the top prize will result in more funding for their own causes. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

By Jay Greeson 3 min read

So did you win the Mega Millions? If so, can I borrow a college tuition or two?

After no Tuesday winner, Friday night’s drawing across more than a dozen states was for a jackpot north of $1 billion. Well, that’s before Biden taxes, which means the winner will walk away about even. Kidding. Mostly.

Still, maybe the most apropos question is: Did you play the Mega Millions? And beyond that, because I fall in this group too, why do so many of us play the outrageously long odds only when it gets north of, say, $400 million or so? Are we truly suggesting that winning a humdrum $6 million on a $2 ticket is not worth our time?

Now, I understand the “group think” of ticket buying, if you know what I mean. There is no bigger FOMO – fear of missing out – than your office crew or your poker buddies all pitching in $10 and group-buying tickets. Because it’s worth that $10 for the peace of mind that comes with silencing the “Oh my, if they win $800 million and I’m not in on it, I become the Pete Best of Mega Millions.”

So there’s that.