Monday, September 17, 2007

Idle thoughts

The superstition is that when a black cat crosses your path, it brings you bad luck. But have you ever wondered at what distance the bad luck begins to affect you? That is, how far away does a cat have to be? Two feet? 10 feet? A few hundred feet? Do you even have to SEE the cat crossing your path for the bad luck to start? Or is it enough that a black cat crossed your path at all, whether you see it or not?

Apart from this distinct lack of precision, superstitions also dont reflect our modern lifestyle. For instance, does it matter that you're driving when a black cat runs across the road in front of you? (The cat that ran across the road yesterday certainly was lucky that I was driving in a 30mph zone. Or it could well have turned into a splat.) Why cant superstitions be more precise?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

ok, see, the way it works is that cats have nine lives. they use one of them in bringing us bad luck. the other eight they use up by running in front of cars -- speeding or otherwise. this is the Voice of Experience, so you shall not scorn it!

~nm said...

Hahaha...quite funny!

Shammi said...

Brin: Hmph, cats oughta remember that I have only one life! If my heart stops, that's it!

Anonymous said...

I wonder if cats have similar superstitions. after all, crossing a speeding car can't be very lucky for them!

Shruthi said...

Heh heh... I have had these same questions, but as usual, no answers :D

Anonymous said...

Charu: They might well do. But then they have 9 lives to play around with, so they can risk a few speeding cars! :)

Shruthi: Great minds, eh? :D

Anonymous said...

i've also always wondered about this. 3 fools seldom differ...