2011-11-04
Explanation
This comic applies the concept of financial prediction markets to the most inappropriate possible domain: a couple'''s sex life. The man excitedly announces that according to his online prediction market, there'''s an 87% chance they'''ll have sex tonight, with shares up 300% over yesterday. His partner is bewildered to learn such a market exists.
The situation spirals as the comic explores the absurd logical consequences. The market analyzes their sex prospects using data including past sex rate, most recent sex act, internet browsing habits, and even her hormone profile -- obtained because her gynecologist is a participant in the market. This is described as being "like insider trading," a clever financial pun. Things get worse when shares drop 10% based on her facial expression, which the market can see because the man installed cameras. His partner'''s growing outrage causes a feedback loop of plummeting share prices.
The comic escalates to its climax when the couple, now naked, frantically tries to have sex while shares are still above 50%, but the partner declares she'''s going to a hotel instead. The man panics about a "market collapse," and shares crash to 85% loss. The final punchline, "My penis is too big to fail," parodies the 2008 financial crisis phrase "too big to fail" used to justify bank bailouts. The votey panel notes that this last line would make a great epitaph, adding one final layer of absurdity.