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document updated 16 years ago, on Sep 5, 2008
It's shocking how many people, even very well-educated people, succumb to magical thinking. But people get annoyed if, during casual conversation, you try to explain why certain conclusions tend to be incorrect.

Yet it's still something that gnaws at me. One way to handle it is to give up, and actively spread it further.

I'm not usually malevolent, but:   1) In some cases, it really is a matter of "survival of the fittest". While most magical thinking is harmless, at most a time waster, some of it has a heavy cost for those who don't choose wisely. 2) Understanding our common psychological foibles can sometimes be personally advantageous. 3) Most people who exploit these will never admit to it. If more people would alternate between exploiting and educating, then the general public will learn to keep their guard up for these problems.

things to try