document updated 15 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
- Study up on Forer effect material (there's a ton of horoscope material out there that can be mined) and cold reading, and use it during dates.
- The section on lying and lie detection in Quirkology is really good. It also suggests that certain types of people are more skilled at lying (and I'm not in that group). So, study up!
- Generally try to pawn off various bits of medical quackery and pseudoscience.