more on question 16

One thing that strikes me is that there is no substitute for longevity in life. I guess that's obvious, but compare

- Elton John v. Jim Morrison
It's hard to imagine that the latter engaged in more risky behavior than the former (a gay heroin addict). Yet the former got to grow into a fat, contented, domesticated lounge singer (whom I actually like a great deal). Jim Morrison, well, he's in some Paris cemetary.

- George W. Bush v. Ted Kenndy
Ted turned into one of the great senators of the 20th century after kind of rough night in Martha's Vinyard.

Then there's George W. He went from the ne'er-do-well drunken brother to a major league f-up on a global scale. Maybe dying young would serve some people well.

- Michael Jordan v. Len Bias
Bias was the finest baller I ever saw play, even better than MJ.
(Coach K at Duke says these are the two finest players he ever saw play in the ACC. He didn't rank them against each other.)

(It's hard to know whether LB would have had a greater impact on the NBA. Playing for the Celtics instead of the lowly Bulls would have been a big advantage. It's just not clear that LB had the same Jordan-like ability to beat/cajole/mold/berate other players into doing his bidding/their best.)

In any case, it's not clear which of these two took more risks. Coke killed LB, supposedly on the first try. Jordan repeatedly gambled, even when the consequences were dire. And one can only guess at the crowd Jordan ran with while gambling at such a level ($25e3 per hand in poker).

All I know is Jordan is an icon with a little problem, and LB is gone.