Fear leads to Magical Thinking

There's been a round of interesting research, published in Science magazine, about how people crave order when they are under stress, and that craving leads to all manner of interesting choices including adherence to conspiracy theories and superstition. There was a huge increase in the popularity of astrology during the Great Depression. What is about to happen now?? This vid is from one of the authors of the study, talking about how we make irrational decisions on a daily basis:

Dan Ariely, a professor of behavioral economics at Duke University, presents examples of cognitive illusions that help illustrate why humans make predictably irrational decisions.
( short aside )

What's up with this crazy Portland weather?!!

It has been sunny and pleasant WAY TOO MUCH. Where did the drizzle go? I'm wondering if it is about to descend. This does not seem to be the same city that I endured last winter. And I'm smiling more too.
( more, random download )