Latest news with #superstitions
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Are ghosts real? A social psychologist examines the evidence
Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you'd like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@ Is it possible for there to be ghosts? – Madelyn, age 11, Fort Lupton, Colorado Certainly, lots of people believe in ghosts – a spirit left behind after someone who was alive has died. In a 2021 poll of 1,000 American adults, 41% said they believe in ghosts, and 20% said they had personally experienced them. If they're right, that's more than 50 million spirit encounters in the U.S. alone. That includes the owner of a retail shop near my home who believes his place is haunted. When I asked what most convinced him of this, he sent me dozens of eerie security camera video clips. He also brought in ghost hunters who reinforced his suspicions. Some of the videos show small orbs of light gliding around the room. In others, you can hear faint voices and loud bumping sounds when nobody's there. Others show a book flying off a desk and products jumping off a shelf. It's not uncommon for me to hear stories like this. As a sociologist, some of my work looks at beliefs in things like ghosts, aliens, pyramid power and superstitions. Along with others who practice scientific skepticism, I keep an open mind while maintaining that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Tell me you had a burger for lunch, and I'll take your word for it. Tell me you shared your fries with Abraham Lincoln's ghost, and I'll want more evidence. In the 'spirit' of critical thinking, consider the following three questions: People may think they're experiencing ghosts when they hear strange voices, see moving objects, witness balls or wisps of light or even translucent people. Yet no one describes ghosts as aging, eating, breathing or using bathrooms – despite plumbers receiving many calls about toilets 'ghost-flushing.' So could ghosts be made of a special kind of energy that hovers and flies without dissipating? If that's the case, that means when ghosts glow, move objects and make sounds, they are acting like matter – something that takes up space and has mass, like wood, water, plants and people. Conversely, when passing through walls or vanishing, they must not act like matter. But centuries of physics research have found nothing like this exists, which is why physicists say ghosts can't exist. And so far, there is no proof that any part of a person can continue on after death. Never before in history have people recorded so many ghost encounters, thanks in part to mobile phone cameras and microphones. It seems there would be great evidence by now. But scientists don't have it. Instead, there are lots of ambiguous recordings sabotaged by bad lighting and faulty equipment. But popular television shows on ghost hunting convince many viewers that blurry images and emotional reactions are proof enough. As for all the devices ghost hunters use to capture sounds, electrical fields and infrared radiation – they may look scientific, but they're not. Measurements are worthless without some knowledge of the thing you're measuring. When ghost hunters descend on an allegedly haunted location for a night of meandering and measurement, they usually find something they later deem paranormal. It may be a moving door (breeze?), a chill (gap in the floorboards?), a glow (light entering from outside?), electrical fluctuations (old wiring?), or bumps and faint voices (crew in other rooms?). Whatever happens, ghost hunters will draw a bull's-eye around it, interpret that as 'evidence' and investigate no further. Personal experiences with ghosts can be misleading due to the limitations of human senses. That's why anecdotes can't substitute for objective research. Alleged hauntings usually have plenty of non-ghostly explanations. One example is that retail establishment in my neighborhood. I reviewed the security camera clips and gathered information about the store's location and layout, and the exact equipment used in the recordings. First, the 'orbs': Videos captured many small globes of light seemingly moving around the room. In reality, the orbs are tiny particles of dust wafting close to the camera lens, made to 'bloom' by the camera's infrared lights. That they appear to float around the room is an optical illusion. Watch any orb video closely and you'll see they never go behind objects in the room. That's exactly what you'd expect with dust particles close to the camera lens. Next, voices and bumps: The shop is in a busy corner mini-mall. Three walls abut sidewalks, loading zones and parking areas; an adjacent store shares the fourth. The security camera mics probably recorded sounds from outdoors, other rooms and the adjacent unit. The owner never checked for these possibilities. Then, the flying objects: The video shows objects falling off the showroom wall. The shelf rests on adjustable brackets, one of which wasn't fully seated in its slot. The weight of the shelf caused the bracket to settle into place with a visible jerk. This movement sent some items tumbling off the shelf. Then, the flying book: I used a simple trick to recreate the event at home: a hidden string taped inside a book's cover, wrapped around the kitchen island, and tugged by my right hand out of camera range. Now I can't prove there wasn't a ghost in the original video. The point is to provide a more plausible explanation than 'it must have been a ghost.' One final consideration: Virtually all ghostly experiences involve impediments to making accurate perceptions and judgments – bad lighting, emotional arousal, sleep phenomena, social influences, culture, a misunderstanding of how recording devices work, and the prior beliefs and personality traits of those who claim to see ghosts. All of these hold the potential to induce unforgettable ghostly encounters. But all can be explained without ghosts being real. Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question you'd like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS@ Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live. And since curiosity has no age limit – adults, let us know what you're wondering, too. We won't be able to answer every question, but we will do our best. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Barry Markovsky, University of South Carolina Read more: Is the Loch Ness monster real? Hearing ghost voices relies on pseudoscience and fallibility of human perception Why magical thinking is so widespread – a look at the psychological roots of common superstitions Barry Markovsky does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Globe and Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
‘Pub Delivery': Heineken® brings fans' matchday ritual – and their ‘lucky pub' - with them to Lisbon for the UEFA Women's Champions League final
A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available in this link. AMSTERDAM, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Half of football fans have matchday rituals – and nearly as many (46%)* believe their superstitions can influence the score. For two Arsenal fans, that ritual meant watching every game from the same corner of The Twelve Pins bar in North London - same seats, same beers, same pre-match routine. So, when their team reached the UEFA Women's Champions League final, Heineken did what needed to be done: packed up their lucky pub setup and shipped it to Lisbon. Rebuilt inside a truck, it gave the two women the ultimate matchday experience - ready for the game at the Estádio José Alvalade, ritual and all. For years, London-based Amelie Margaret Kirk and Sophie Hurst have made The Twelve Pins their matchday home - pints in hand, seats unchanged. As part of its ongoing celebration of football's most devoted hardcore fans and the women's game, Heineken transformed their personal tradition into a portable pre-match pub experience. Painstakingly recreated and transported over 2,200 kilometres from North London to the heart of Lisbon, every detail of their ritual was brought to life - beermats, bar stools, pint glasses and all - so they could follow the same routine they believe helps set their team up for success. For these two superstitious fans, it's not just a pub - it's a travelling talisman. Of course, it wouldn't be a real pub without Heineken on tap. Football legend and former Lioness, Jill Scott MBE, will be hitching a ride to raise a glass with two of football's most superstitious fans. Jill Scott MBE, former England midfielder, says: 'I've seen plenty of matchday rituals over the years – some hilarious, some heartfelt, but all completely serious to the person who believes in them. I love that Heineken is matching the energy of superstitious fans at the UEFA Women's Champions League final. It makes me happy to see hardcore fans of the women's game being acknowledged and celebrated in this way.' Nabil Nasser, Global Head of Heineken ® Brand, says:"Who are we to stand between superstitious fans and their matchday rituals? From recreating a lucky pub at the UEFA Women's Champions League final to shining a light on the fans who make the game what it is, 'Cheers to the Superstitious Fans' is all about celebrating fandom in all its forms. Since joining the women's game in 2021, we've seen it grow in incredible ways—and we're proud to continue championing that momentum.' Heineken has supported the UEFA Women's Champions League since 2021 and continues to spotlight the stories of real hardcore fans whose love for the game makes football more than just a sport. To learn more about the campaign and celebrate fan superstitions, visit: HERE Notes to editors: Editorial information: Fans can follow the campaign by searching using the hashtag #SuperstitiousFans Please find the campaign video: HERE Please find the high-resolution campaign image: HERE For more information, please contact: HNKNFootball@ Research: The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 12,011 Football fans in the UK, USA, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, and South Korea. The data was collected between 01.04.2025 - 07.04.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council. HEINEKEN is the world's most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken ® brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. We are committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through "Brewing a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. We employ over 85,000 employees and operate breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares trade on the Euronext in Amsterdam. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on Reuters under and HEINEKEN has two sponsored level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programmes: Heineken N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY) and Heineken Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY). Most recent information is available on HEINEKEN's website: and follow us on Twitter via @HEINEKENCorp. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
CTV News
13-05-2025
- CTV News
‘I feel like such an idiot': Two Ontario men lose more then $150,000 to psychics
Some people believe in the power of psychic. However, if a psychic makes unrealistic monetary demands and that should be a red flag that something is not right.
CBC
09-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
If the beard is strong, can the team go wrong?
It's that time of year when superstitions start to emerge. Whether it's watching the game from a certain place, wearing specific clothes, or even growing a beard, NHL fans and players alike take on all kinds of rituals and routines during the playoffs. But how did facial hair become such a key part of playoff hockey? Andre Costopolous is the chair of the anthropology department at the University of Alberta.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Jill Scott reveals the supersitions which helped the Lionesses win Euro 2022 - and opens up on life as a pundit with Gary Neville and Ian Wright
Jill Scott has revealed the superstitions which powered the Lionesses to Euros glory in 2022 - as Sarina Wiegman 's stars set their sights on fresh glory this summer. Scott came off the bench in the final as England felled their old rivals Germany 2-1 at Wembley thanks to goals from Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly. Now a pundit on The Overlap's Stick to Football podcast, Scott made 161 appearances for England in a glittering career that also brought nine domestic trophies with Manchester city and Everton. Amid Heineken's revelation that more than half of fans globally have a footballing superstition, she says one stood out during the Lionesses' memorable tournament. Superstitions in football are curious, ranging from pretty mundane to downright bizarre. Gary Neville used to wear the same white underpants for every game and read the programme on the same toilet at Old Trafford. Luis Suarez wouldn't let you touch his boots, and if you did, he'd be in a huff and hunt for a different pair. Going further back, Johan Cruyff during his time at Ajax would slap goalkeeper Gert Bals' belly and spit gum into the opposition half. There was none of that in the England camp, but what did the Lionesses get up to? She was speaking to Mail Sport as part of Heineken's dive into footballing superstitions 'I was a substitute for the every game in the Euros, and I remember the first game, Alessio Russo put a plait in my hair. I always had a plait in my hair when I played football,' Scott told Mail Sport. 'And then it became a thing where every single game, she'd be like, "do you want us to do it on the bus or the hotel?" And I was like, "no, we've won, we need to do it in the changing room." 'So even the Wembley final, I remember looking over to her. She was obviously in the zone, but I had to ask her to plait my hair because we'd done it every game and it's been good! 'I felt bad that I was taking up her time, but I was like, "if I've got my plait in, we're going to win."' Scott had a couple more general superstitions throughout her career. 'I'd put my right shinpad, right sock, and right boot on first before anything else,' she said. 'I was very much a right-footed player so I suppose in the back of my mind I thought, "I need this right foot today" - because I didn't have a left! 'Every game, when I walked out, I would touch the top of the tunnel. That was probably because I was tall and would hit my head, but it was definitely a superstition.' What Heineken's research shows is that young fans are just as likely to entertain little quirks in their behaviour. Two-third of Gen Z and Millennial fans claim to have a pre-match ritual, compared to just over a quarter of those above 55. Scott doesn't follow them so strictly now that she's retired and transitioned into broadcasting. The 38-year-old forms part of The Overlap's Stick to Football podcast team with Neville, Jamie Carragher, Ian Wright, and Roy Keane, has done punditry for Channel 4, and has been a captain on the soon-to-be-axed A League of Their Own. Punditry wasn't necessarily a path Scott envisioned for herself while she was still playing, but it's one she is thoroughly enjoying. 'When I watched Clare Balding or Gabby Logan on TV, I used to think, "how have they got that much knowledge?" Doing so many various sports, yeah, I really am in awe of people like that and think they're fantastic at what they do,' she said. 'I really look forward to doing the podcast. We always have a laugh. They're all very relaxed but hard working when it comes to the punditry, they make sure they have all the knowledge. 'They're all such different characters. From Wrighty, I've learned to always bring energy to whatever you do, I think that's important. From Gary, he's always busy, he utilises his time to the maximum, so I think I've learned that you can always be doing more because you can always push yourself. 'Roy has such good values and morals, he really does, and I think he does try to do the right things on a day-to-day basis. And I think Jamie is just a very honest guy, he's obviously so passionate about football and that comes across. I've learned something different from all of them.'
