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Predictions of Paul the Octopus - Truth or Fluke
– A lesson in humility
- Oliver Mbamara
Once again, man’s vanity (and egocentric
character) is put to test and eventual display as many analysts wrote off
the world cup result predictions of an Octopus named Paul, even after the
Octopus had scored five correct results out of five world cup game
predictions. Whether there is a consequence for making such predictions
open to the general public could be the topic for another discussion, but
that is not the purport of this piece.
 Based or owned in Germany, some expected the Octopus to be pro-Germany in
its call regarding the outcome of the German versus Spain semi-final
match. Of course, despite the barrage of threats, the Octopus picked Spain
to defeat Germany in the semi-finals. Those who favored Germany over Spain
could not fathom the choice, but it came to be.
That experience could have indicated that the Octopus was simply calling
the results as they are/were. Perhaps it could have been an indication
that there are certain principles upon which the Octopus performed which
could not be subverted by patriotic or nationalistic loyalties regardless
of human threats and reactions. It could have confirmed that there is a
supernatural power beyond simple everyday comprehension which runs the
affairs of life. It could have confirmed that creation is finished in this
world and that life here is only in line with the principles of finished
creation and manifestation.
Yet, when before the Germany and Uruguay match, the Octopus chose Germany
to defeat Uruguay, many joked that the Octopus chose Germany to avoid
being killed and eaten. Others condemned the predictions as uncivilized
and reminded others that “this isn’t the stone age.” One analyst on a
United States national sports television gave the Octopus 0% score on
accuracy and flatly dismissed the whole thing as a joke, and similarly so
did many others. Some professors across Europe were recently quoted as
saying that Paul got lucky with his picks. Perhaps they would rather
believe a 21st century machine or technological computation that offers a
statistical result. Nevertheless, many others believed that even an
octopus is just another creature capable of prophetic abilities.
 Dogs have the ability to sniff out a bag containing explosives or illegal
drugs; Dogs can track down a criminal from a pack of people; Dogs can
persistently bark when there is danger looming several yards or hours
away. A cock wears no wrist watch but has the ability to crow at dawn even
before the light of dawn. A parrot could memorize words and repeat them
flawlessly. I could go on and on. Are these all flukes and coincidences
simply because these animals are humble creatures less interested in being
praised and accorded celebrity status?
The fact is that the Octopus was 100% correct in all its 2010 world cup
predictions. This piece is not intended to propagate a belief in
extra-sensory perception, superstition, oracles, prophecy, or such. The
fact is this, human or animals, creatures do possess something beyond the
physical embodiment that has the ability to transcend the physical senses
and abilities. Some call it Soul. To blindly doubt this would rarely do
any good. Perhaps, if we could humble ourselves and look at things more
objectively we could learn a thing or two from the experience and
revelations of things like this.
©Oliver
O. Mbamara, 2010
pictures courtesy of hiffingtonpost
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Oliver Mbamara is an Administrative Law Judge
with the State of New York. He is also a filmmaker and a Published Poet
and playwright. For more on Oliver, please visit www.olivermbamara.com
For
background/research reference on this piece, click on this link
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