# Do you engage in "Magical Thinking?" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 19, 2010, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196 "2010-07-19T05:07:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/1 "2010-07-19T05:07:14Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/2 "2010-07-19T05:22:42Z")
I’ve yet to be convinced that all magical thinking is bad. I only have a problem with it when it’s used to try to bolster an argument. I honestly think that magical thinking is required to not be depressed. ---
**Author:** ![Neverender](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/848f3c/32.png) [@Neverender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neverender)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/3 "2010-07-19T05:25:42Z")
I do the cig at the bus stop thing! 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’. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/4 "2010-07-19T05:33:29Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/5 "2010-07-19T06:33:59Z")
I like the “bless you” thing. Not even sure why but it gives me comfort when someone says it. Probably something from my childhood. Sometimes I swear there’s a curse on my entire family. I know it’s completely irrational. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/6 "2010-07-19T06:47:05Z")
Well I know there are gnomes that steal my socks from my sock drawer at night but that’s not magical thinking, it’s provable fact. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/7 "2010-07-19T06:57:02Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I’ve yet to be convinced that all magical thinking is bad. I only have a problem with it when it’s used to try to bolster an argument. > > I honestly think that magical thinking is required to not be depressed. Well actually, [“depressive realism”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depressive_realism) which is a state associated with clinical depression is partly due to the reduction in magical thinking. ---
**Author:** ![Gustav](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/919ad9/32.png) [@Gustav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gustav)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/8 "2010-07-19T08:22:59Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/9 "2010-07-19T09:08:46Z")
> [@Gustav](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/10 "2010-07-19T09:15:12Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > Well actually, [“depressive realism”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depressive_realism) which is a state associated with clinical depression is partly due to the reduction in magical thinking. 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. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/11 "2010-07-19T09:18:39Z")
Never, if I realize I’m doing it. After all, superstition is bad luck. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/12 "2010-07-19T09:35:53Z")
Nope…there’s nothing magic about God’s will. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/13 "2010-07-19T11:30:00Z")
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. I think of it as a fun tease. ---
**Author:** ![torie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@torie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/torie)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/14 "2010-07-19T11:31:13Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/15 "2010-07-19T12:29:30Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/16 "2010-07-19T12:57:14Z")
I have tried, but I end up having the cartoon type Angel/Devil argument in my head except it’s Magical/Rational. It is at the very least entertaining 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/17 "2010-07-19T12:59:51Z")
I think of my old car and canoe and kayak as old friends. I treat them well, talk to them a bit on occasion, and we share great adventures together. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/18 "2010-07-19T13:04:18Z")
> [@brujaja](#): > > Possibly you had an experience where a soundbite on the TV or radio seemed strangely relevant to you and your life or situation. This happens to me frequently, but I don’t perceive it as being “magical thinking” akin to the other examples you describe. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/19 "2010-07-19T13:06:27Z")
I greet magpies. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196/20 "2010-07-19T13:09:50Z")
Only if it is magical that it rains when I wash my car, but that’s science! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-engage-in-magical-thinking/547196.md?page=2)