I saw somebody argue once that the main purpose of a state run lottery is to keep the masses from rising up. As long as the poor think there is a magic way out - as long as they can draw some hope from buying a lottery ticket - they will be more sedated. To be extra effective, there was also the need to nurture the idea that wealth doesn&#x27;t make you happy, to provide comfort for those who did not win; hence the steady stream of news stories about lottery winners squandering their sudden wealth, or losing their friends and family.<p>I can&#x27;t find the video now.