Some Explanation Would Be Helpful...

I would like to think that not an awful lot puzzles me in life, but then again I am a male student in my twenties - stereotypically we're not renowned for our modesty. However, the World Cup has brought to light a concept that has completely baffled me as to how it came about. I am, of course, talking about Paul the Psychic Octopus.

Living in the South-West of England, my local news bulletin is often lacking in any actual newsworthy story. Someone who used to live in Paignton said hello to Raoul Moat in the street once - that tenuous link is generally enough to make the lead story of an evening. Paul was born in Weymouth, therefore we have claimed him as one of our own. He doesn't even have nine tentacles or associated features that would identify him as such. Paul moved to Germany in search of fame and fortune and promptly found it. But how?

First of all, the original claim to his "psychic powers" was made after Euro 2008, where he apparently correctly predicted 70% of Germany's results correctly. Which equates to 4 out of 6 over a tournament - all of which are two horse races. Equivalent to calling correctly on a coin toss four times out of 6. If Andrew Strauss does that during the Ashes, he will not be proclaimed as the new Mystic Meg. But because it's an animal, the media go crazy. Fair play to Paul, he actually has got a 100% record this time round. He received death threats when he picked out a mussel in the box bearing the Spanish flag before the semi-final. Let's assume for a moment that Paul actually is psychic - it wouldn't be his fault that Germany were out-thought by Vicente del Bosque. If it was written in the stars, then so be it. Don't shoot the messenger. Or rather don't take the messenger out of its tank to asphyxiate him and serve him in a warm Mediterranean stew.

And how was Paul's psychic ability discovered? Did he move the little diver statue in his tank using only his mind? (It's telekinesis, I know, get over yourself). Or did a German aquarium keeper suddenly think "Ich hab' ein Idee" and get a relatively normal looking octopus to try and predict the football as some sort of cruel trick. Only for the octopus to turn out to be actually quite good. My question is simple - what came first - the psychic tendencies, or predicting the football scores? What possible inclination did his owners have to make him go down this particular route in his life? Did they spot a niche and think "Hmmm, this one seems a lot smarter than your average octopus, the octopus world really is missing it's Andy Gray equivalent"?

Answers on a postcard please. And, as Andy might say - Paul take a bow son!

RM