Underdogs are overrated

THE British like being on the side of the underdog. This affinity has more than a whiff of historical hypocrisy; the British empire, a distinctly top-doggy affair, was hardly noted for its enthusiastic encouragement of the downtrodden. Still, it is a genuine part of the national character. So when, on the evening of May 2nd, Leicester City were anointed champions of the English Premier League, a football competition, the country was united in delight. Bookmakers, to their subsequent regret, had set the odds of such a victory at 5,000 to 1. Leicester’s triumph was heralded as the greatest underdog story in sporting history, and Britain rejoiced in it.

The world is short enough of occasions for joy that to disparage such a blameless one may seem harsh. No one would begrudge the long-suffering supporters of Leicester, or the citizens of this East Midlands city (see article), their moment of jubilation. But a delight in seeing the expected undone can be a pathway to poor thinking. It encourages people to value the quality of narratives over the desirability of outcomes; to indulge in unrealistic assessments of their own potential; and to set too little store by one of the greatest achievements of civilisation: predictability.