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Has Superstition Evolved To Help Mankind Survive?
Pickens writes "The tendency to falsely link cause to effect — a superstition — is occasionally beneficial, says Kevin Foster, an evolutionary biologist at Harvard University. For example, a prehistoric human might associate rustling grass with the approach of a predator and hide. Most of the time, the wind will have caused the sound, but 'if a group of lions is coming there's a huge benefit to not being around.' Foster worked with mathematical language and a simple definition for superstition to determine exactly when such potentially false connections pay off and found as long as the cost of believing a superstition is less than the cost of missing a real association, superstitious beliefs will be favored. In modern times, superstitions turn up as a belief in alternative and homeopathic remedies. 'The chances are that most of them don't do anything, but some of them do,' Foster says. Wolfgang Forstmeier argues that by linking cause and effect — often falsely — science is simply a dogmatic form of superstition. 'You have to find the trade off between being superstitious and being ignorant,' Forstmeier says. By ignoring building evidence that contradicts their long-held ideas, 'quite a lot of scientists tend to be ignorant quite often.'"
When your g/f or wife cries during a new baby born commercial, PMS is a-coming.
Ok, enough with the jokes, I believe that we have instincts, which is a form of sense, beyond our 5 known senses.
It could be the ability of one or more of our 5 senses to work together and provide info, faster than we can rationalize it, or maybe there are other senses at work, maybe we do possess a "radar like", which somehow, works for us, but which we aren't always aware consciously.
Stress often occurs when one doesn't follow their "gut" instinct, so to speak.
So, obviously, when it comes to this topic, we yet, lack any real scientific proof, but, that doesn't mean it's not there. 100 yrs ago, we didn't know atoms existed, but they where there for sure.
I believe that our biggest drawback is in the way we are educated from childhood, we do not develop any of our instincts and thus, in a way, suppress them, instead of acknowledging them. How many stories about very young children who can see ghosts, etc... Why so young? I say because they are more instinctive, their minds are more receptive.
Those who are more "sensitive" and/or more "instinctive" usually function very badly if/when they don't work with their gifts. It's almost like they are working against their nature, thus, causing themselves all kinds of health issues, including stress.
I say "More" in the previous paragraphs, because each and every one of us, is born with strengths and weaknesses. From having stronger bone structures to better eyesights, or weaker lungs, etc.. Well, our minds, and our abilities towards the instinctive knowledge, is also something which for some is stronger than others.
While this isn't a "proven" theory, I've seen enough of this around me to know it's right.
Bottom line, this type of knowledge, the powers of the mind, instinct, mind reader, clearvoyance, etc.. well, it cannot be dismissed, it does exist.
Yes, there are many charlatans and snake oil doctors out there, but there are quite a few who are truly gifted.
Even the law enforcement know of these individuals and will request their aid in helping them solve crimes, etc...
Like anything else, ignoring something which may not be explanable yet, but does exist, doesn't make it go away.
That's why for some people, ignoring their "instincts" may cause them stress, because, their bodies are telling them things which their minds are not acknowledging. That's why it would be nice if we would try and learn more about this and master it for what it is, perhaps just another sense we possess, but either used to be able to tap into, or have lost the knowledge to do so, and need to rekindle and relearn again.
Let's not forget how we only use about 5% to 10% of our brain, so, who knows what else we can do with the rest of it.
That's my opinion.
i heard it increases your penis size.
Hmm, lemme see... You mean 'Knock on wood'?
Excuse me, but please get off my Pennisetum Clandestinum, eh!