Symetri Blog

Did you just completely know that Halo 3 would sell like it did - a year ahead of time? Ever place a bet with a friend about something - anything - in the future? Have you heard about British bookmakers like Ladbrokes that even take bets on things like who the President of the US will be as of this November's elections? All of it's betting on futures, or prediction markets.

I actually stumbled across this idea (again) on the Google blog, as they've set up their own internal prediction market with some interesting results.

But if you'd like to actually get involved in such a venture, Popular Science has what's called the PPX:

Join the PopSci Predictions Exchange.

Welcome to the PPX, the first place to bet on the future of science and technology. It's easy and free: Log on, and we'll give you POP$250,000 in our virtual PopSci Dollars. Use that money to buy propositions you think are likely to happen. If other traders also want to buy, that proposition's price will go up, and you'll make PopSci bucks. Expand your portfolio with bets on energy, space, consumer technology and extreme science, and compete against other players for prizes and bragging rights. Ready to get started? Register now!

At this point we're just introducing the idea if you want to jump on the bandwagon. I'll be opening an account and placing some finances in the next week or two and report back as to how it went.

Labels: prediction markets, tech geeky