Not many people would pass up getting $25, but it really isn't a lot of money when you think about it. Even so, I really wish I could win one of these days!
I was watching The Hunger Games, and President Snow says, "Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous."
A little hope is what the newspaper is offering- a chance to win $25. It's not a lot of money, but the chances are pretty good that eventually I might win. With the lottery, there's not a lot of chance people will win, but the huge amount gives it just enough hope that people regularly buy lottery tickets.
In The Dark Knight Rises, there is an open pit where prisoners are kept. A story circulates around the prison that a child escaped, so a few prisoners try at great risk to escape. A little hope in the midst of much despair makes them try.
If you want someone or a group of people to follow what you say, give them a little hope and it will usually be enough to work. For example, tell a class of students that if they are good they will each get a little treat at the end of the lesson, and chances are they will be good. Especially if you put the treat in front of them- in sight, but out of reach.
We all need a little hope to get us through the bad times. Hope that someone will change. Hope that we will get a raise. Hope that we will win. Hope that all the hard work will pay off. Hope that the pain will subside. Hope that better days are ahead. Hope that our dreams will come true. Hope that we'll find what we are looking for.
Sometimes even when there are a lot of reasons why not, all it takes is one reason why to make it happen.
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