Why We're All In on Gambling

In this episode of Critics at Large, Alex Schwartz, Naomi Fry, and Vinson Cunningham delve into the pervasive nature of gambling in contemporary society, exploring its evolution from traditional casinos to online platforms. They discuss how the legalization of online sports betting has integrated gambling into daily life, influencing sports media and fan experiences. The critics analyze gambling through the lens of literature and film, citing examples like George Eliot's "Daniel Deronda," Colson Whitehead's "The Noble Hustle," and the movie "Uncut Gems" to illustrate gambling's dramatic and metaphorical qualities. They also examine the rise of platforms like Polymarket, which allows betting on various real-world events, and discuss the implications of democratized expertise and the potential for exploitation in these markets, ultimately questioning the motivations and consequences of our culture's increasing embrace of risk and speculation.