Harvard Professor wants poker to be used as a teaching tool for children

[The Buzz]

Interesting stuff from Harvard Law Professor Charles Nesson, who has started the GPSTS, which stands for Global Poker Strategic Thinking Society.

When the UIGEA was passed, many members of Congress were quoted as saying that it would be best for "our children" if they were "protected" from on-line poker. But Nesson, disagrees saying that Poker is "an excellent learning tool to teach children a number of different skills."

A good poker player learns to size up the competition quickly and decide where potential risks lie. Poker is, first and foremost, a game of managing resources... Poker also teaches an alternative structure of respect based on a combination of intelligence and intuition...Poker allows for controlled aggression and teaches maintenance of composure in any situation...The mark of any great poker player is their patience. Poker teaches waiting for opportunity...Poker can teach kids to make better decisions and to allocate wisely, their own limited resources.

In short, Nesson would like to see poker become used in an educational setting. Hey, if it's good enough for a Harvard professor, it's good enough for Buzzy.

To read more about Nesson's views visit www.gpsts.org/

[The Buzz]

Also mentions how Alan Dershowitz is defending "an online sports betting executive" from prosecution."

http://www.bostonherald.com/business...icleid=1039633

[The Buzz]

Here's a story with some good background on Nesson ... very interesting guy.

Nesson rose to fame by defending Daniel Ellsberg, who in 1971 leaked to the media the "Pentagon Papers," secret documents that indicated the government deceived the public about whether the Vietnam War could be won. Ellsberg faced up to 115 years in prison, but the charges were dismissed because of government misconduct against him.

Later, attorney Jan Schlichtmann persuaded Nesson, an expert in evidence, to join his legal fight against chemical companies whose alleged polluting was suspected of causing leukemia among children in Woburn. Jonathan Harr's book, "A Civil Action," documented the case and was later turned into a film starring John Travolta.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i...sLQ2AD8SK2SC80

[The Buzz]

This guys is everywhere in the Boston press ...

Buzzy likes this quote though ...

Just as archery, javelin, and fencing are games of skill rooted in activities that at one time helped people survive, he said he believes that poker helps hone the critical thinking, money management, and risk-taking strategies that people are not learning in school but which are essential for life.

http://www.boston.com/business/artic...stakes/?page=2