[UA] Re: [UA]

[Eves, Eric D.]

-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Wedig [mailto:mrteapot at disinfo.net]
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2000 12:26 PM
To: ua at lists.uchicago.edu
Subject: [UA] Re: [UA]


>> Anyone got a UA explanation for these perverse pieces of plastic?

Someone the list a while ago had a quote (in their signature, I haven't
noticed it recently) from Francis Bacon about how superstition forms by the
mind noticing when something occurs and ignoring when it doesn't.  Plus, I
never saw a large enough sample to be a representative one where chance
would start to balance out.  So that's my explanation.  Scooby Doo style, if
you will.

>>
Oh, sure, that's the *real* explanation, but where's the fun in that?  

I mean, that sig, "The general root of superstition is that men observe when
things hit, and not when they miss, and commit to memory the one, and pass
over the other", if that's the one you mean, is one of *mine*, so I think
it's clear what I really believe; but it's much more fun imagining bizzare
possibilities.

I mean, sure, the old crazy homeless guy sleeping on the corner who hears
the voice of God is probably drinking Sterno strained through cloth, but
isn't it fun to imagine what it would be like if he was right?

Besides, I think the beauty of UA is that almost anything in real life can
be twisted to make something new and disturbing.  I love watching the news
with UA in mind, and seeing what explanations my odd little mind can think
up, don't you?

So basically, superstion and paranoia make lousy worldviews, but great
hobbies.

Eric Eves


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