Superstitious Beliefs Getting More Common | Hacker News Reader

Superstitious Beliefs Getting More Common

news.discovery.com

3 pointsKeepTalking7 comments

What do you expect when the subject of the paranormal has for the past few years been in reality shows (Ghost Hunters, etc.) and History Channel documentaries (UFO documentaries with well known hosts, etc.)?

I expect some public outcry or competing shows to point out the amazing assumptions and provide more realistic explanations.

"There is no hard data on how common it is to believe in the paranormal ... But trends in television programming offer a sense that there is a widespread interest in mystical phenomena that is becoming more common."

This is journalism?

What do you find wrong with that?

Considering that producers and purveyors of television programs, along with those who pay to advertise on those programs, do considerable monitoring to find out if they are attracting viewers, and have no qualms about canceling a show that isn't performing well with the public, a rise in successful shows about mystical phenomena is probably a pretty good indicator of increased public interest.

Primarily, that the original article is presented as a report on a scientific survey, the subjects are called "scientists" (which they may well be) and yet for the fundamental question of "how many people believe in the paranormal" we're falling back to prime-time line-ups.

Which is to say nothing of the idea that the actions of a huge industry must ipso facto be based on correct data. Relying on entertainment media as a litmus of society, or even culture, is a huge discussion, completely off the point.

I'm expecting everyone to just go completely insane within the next few years - custom-tuned computer systems synchronized with each other will make people feel "lucky" enough that they go completely manic and need to be hospitalized.

Reminds me of how Peter Thiel thinks dropping out of college will bring you great startup success.

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