Psychology – Odd STEM

A Quick Look at Unlucky 13

“Maybe it’s nothing so deep or analytical.”

With Friday the 13th coming up, it’s hard not to wonder about the number 13. Is that number really a source of bad luck, or is that just in the imagination? Various reasons have been given for 13’s reputation, some of which are related to Christianity and the Christian Bible[1]. Also there are various discussions of “perfect” 12 being more common, like for the number of months. But the calendar is more of a long-term thing. I’m looking for a more practical everyday reason.

The Monster Under the Bed, Coronavirus Conspiracies, and the Best Pizza Ever

“…not something as trivial as the whereabouts of a lost sock.”

As a young child, I was afraid there was a monster under my bed, that would grab my feet and pull me into its lair. Over the years, I have learned that I am not the only one to have imagined such a thing. It seems so common, that it’s a cliché in American culture and even others.[1] But how or why is that even possible? What could I have in common with all those other people to cause this experience? What does it mean for humanity? Continue reading “The Monster Under the Bed, Coronavirus Conspiracies, and the Best Pizza Ever”

Our Underestimated Past

“Were the people of past generations crazy? Delusional?”

The month of January tends to be a time for reflecting on the previous year, in addition to planning for the year ahead. A lot can change in one year. In fact the world seems to be changing at an accelerating rate. The past century has seen the invention of digital computers, people walking on the moon, the rise of the Internet, cell phones for billions of people, medical care that is better than it has ever been, etc.[1] Younger generations are said to be advancing over the previous generations because of growing up with computers and mobile devices. With all our modern advances, past generations seem to intellectually pale in comparison. Is that really the case? Continue reading “Our Underestimated Past”

Anxiety, Dandelions, and Witches

“While I’m (potentially) jumping to conclusions, as a bonus I could throw in conspiracy and global warming.”

Most people have occasional anxiety, especially with modern life being as complicated as it is. I myself sometimes have anxiety for no apparent reason, even when avoiding caffeine. On one particular occasion in the past year or two, I noticed having anxiety at a time when a couple people I know were having allergy symptoms. So I wondered if there were some kind of connection. Continue reading “Anxiety, Dandelions, and Witches”

Mythology And Data Compression

“…it’s interesting to see a connection between something so old and something as modern as computer technology.”

While in school (years ago), I heard mythology described as an attempt by some cultures to explain various natural phenomena. That gave me the impression that a member of such a culture would believe in what a myth from his culture told him. I thought this made cultures with myths seem naive. Did people really believe that the sky is carried on the shoulders of a giant god named Atlas?[1] Continue reading “Mythology And Data Compression”

The Spirit of the Forest

“Can a forest really behave as a whole in a way that seems intelligent and also protect itself and its contents?”

I rarely get to visit a large forest, but I have noticed even a small forest of a few acres seems to have a “presence” about it, like a hint of consciousness. Being in a forest can even give me the feeling of being watched. I don’t think this watchful presence feeling is from specific plants or animals in the forest, but maybe all of them together, possibly in combination with the land features as well. Or maybe it’s something else in the forest, something not visible.

Continue reading “The Spirit of the Forest”

Conspiracy and More

“Is there by chance an agenda?”

Rewards and penalties have guided individuals and society throughout human history. As generalizations of pleasure and pain, rewards and penalties can be very strong motivators. In fact, rewards alone are enough to help teach dogs some sophisticated tricks. Rewards and penalties together are of course useful for raising children as well as shaping commerce and other dealings in human society. After all, most people like rewards such as ice cream or money, and few people like punishment such as being grounded or spending time in jail.

But there can be too much of a good thing. Continue reading “Conspiracy and More”

Ghosts, Luck, And Curses

“While alive, we all have effects on our environment that have varying degrees of permanence.”

Yes, I’m discussing ghosts, luck, and curses – and just in time for Halloween. Utter nonsense, you say? We’ll see. These things are more related – and possible – than you think. What exactly is a ghost? The Merriam-Webster web site defines a ghost as a disembodied soul.[1] I’m going to use the term spirit instead of soul and focus on the consciousness aspect of it in this discussion. So I would expect a spirit to contain a person’s thoughts, feelings, and memories but without physical sensations or requirements such as hunger or tiredness. In my opinion, a spirit is what we generally interact with when we interact with someone on a psychological or intellectual level. Continue reading “Ghosts, Luck, And Curses”