I see this phrase bandied about a lot lately, and I’m wondering if my suspicions are true, that a lot of “otherwise rational” people nonetheless have some little harmless thing or two they do that would qualify as “magical thinking.”
Perhaps you carry a good-luck charm. Perhaps you light a cigarette at the bus stop to make the bus come. Maybe you have been known to cross your fingers or knock on wood. Maybe you think a certain fortune cookie at a certain time was meant just for you. Possibly you had an experience where a soundbite on the TV or radio seemed strangely relevant to you and your life or situation.
In order to discourage trolls and those with an axe to grind, I am going to withhold my opinions for now, except to confess that I sometimes feel that certain Captchas are meant specifically for me… for instance, just now I got one that said, “temperature shinnie.” Is that cool or what?
I also hate it when my girlfriend points out to me that I’m getting sniffly/wheezy, because if I just ignore it, it’ll be one of those 3 day quickly gone colds, otherwise it’ll be a stonker that keeps me nigh on crippled for 2 weeks. Almost like if it’s acknowledged then I’m ‘jinxed’.
I very much try to avoid magical thinking. Among my friends, I am the most skeptical and cynical, and I denounce all woo-woo. I don’t even say “bless you” when someone sneezes. Sometimes I probably come across as a real Debbie Downer because I don’t play along, but I think it’s just silly.
I’ve never had the ability to convince myself to believe in something when I know it’s irrational. The concept is completely alien to me, to the point that I don’t even understand how it’s possible. If I could I certainly would, I think it would make life a lot more interesting.
Not to mention a lot easier to deal with emotional pain. I almost envy people who genuinely believe they are going to be reunited with all their loved ones in a magical afterlife. On the one hand I recognize it for the fantasy wish-fulfillment that it is, but on the other I really can’t blame them. Loss is hard to cope with.
Just knowing that there’s something called “depressive realism” is kind of depressing.
I think magical thinking is more likely to emerge when you’re in a stressful situation. I winced a little once when someone wished me good luck before going on stage. Firstly because it’s supposed to be bad luck, and secondly because why the hell did they think I needed good luck?
ETA: Not to speak for the OP, but I got the distinct impression the question was not about religious worldviews, but little bits of superstitious thought or ritual that intrude on otherwise skeptical mindsets.
Sometimes, but just as a goof. For example, I know that people don’t effect the weather at all. But there is a person who has, 3 for 3, had major storms hit the 3 times I know of when they’ve visited the opposite coast.
When I’m in a stressful situation. For example, I have a lot riding on getting approved for this house (We’re going later this morning to find out) so all weekend I’ve been crossing fingers and counting it as a good sign that I’ve happened to catch my “lucky number” on the clock all weekend. Really, I’m just trying to keep myself sane.
I used to be much much worse with the magical thoughts. I was into Tarot and the like. I’ve actually been stressed enough this week that I’ve been wishing I hadn’t thrown out all my Tarot decks. I’m backsliding a bit.
Sort of. Whenever something goes really, really right for me, I can’t help but feel it’s because of something like destiny. Because sometimes things just seem too easy. I’ve had some amazing opportunities just fall into my lap. It’s hard not to wonder sometimes if it’s all meant to be.
I tug my forelock and say “Hello Mr Magpie, how’s your wife and kids?” If I’m in company I say it under my breath and cover up the forelock tug.
I know it’s completely nuts and I don’t do anything else of the kind. Nor was I brought up doing it.
However, once when as a teenager I was learning to drive, and extremely nervous about it, my (insane) driving instructor screamed at me “JESUS CHRIST you didn’t greet the magpie! Greet that fucking magpie NOW or YOU’RE GOING TO FUCKING CRASH!!!” It kinda imprinted.
