If we define “luck” as an unusual propensity for fortunate/unfortunate things to happen at random, then Wiseman does not disagree. Wiseman explains the subjective experience of luck in terms of more fundamental character traits that give rise to predictable tendencies. There’s nothing irrational about it; arational, maybe, but not irrational.
If we define “luck” as an unusual propensity for fortunate/unfortunate things to happen at random, then Wiseman does not disagree. Wiseman explains the subjective experience of luck in terms of more fundamental character traits that give rise to predictable tendencies.
Yes, exactly. The fact that the typical person’s understanding of “luck” does not include a correct theory of how “luck” occurs, doesn’t prevent them from observing that there is in fact such a thing and that people vary in their degree of having it.
This sort of thing happens a lot, because human brains are very good at picking up certain kinds of patterns about things that matter to them. They’re just very bad at coming up with truthful explanations, as opposed to simple predictive models or useful procedures!
The crowd that believes in “The Secret” is talking about many of the same things as Wiseman’s research; I’ve seen all 4 of his principles in the LoA literature before. I haven’t read his book, but my guess is that I will have already seen better practical instruction in these principles from books that were written by people who claim to be channeling beings from another dimension… which would just go to show how better theories aren’t always related to better practices.
To be fair, it is a Fast Company piece on the research; I really ought to read the actual book before I judge. Still, from previous experience, scientific advice tends to be dreadfully vague compared to the advice of people who have experience coaching other people at doing something. (i.e. scientific advice is usually much more suggestive than prescriptive, and more about “what” than “how”.)
If we define “luck” as an unusual propensity for fortunate/unfortunate things to happen at random, then Wiseman does not disagree. Wiseman explains the subjective experience of luck in terms of more fundamental character traits that give rise to predictable tendencies. There’s nothing irrational about it; arational, maybe, but not irrational.
Yes, exactly. The fact that the typical person’s understanding of “luck” does not include a correct theory of how “luck” occurs, doesn’t prevent them from observing that there is in fact such a thing and that people vary in their degree of having it.
This sort of thing happens a lot, because human brains are very good at picking up certain kinds of patterns about things that matter to them. They’re just very bad at coming up with truthful explanations, as opposed to simple predictive models or useful procedures!
The crowd that believes in “The Secret” is talking about many of the same things as Wiseman’s research; I’ve seen all 4 of his principles in the LoA literature before. I haven’t read his book, but my guess is that I will have already seen better practical instruction in these principles from books that were written by people who claim to be channeling beings from another dimension… which would just go to show how better theories aren’t always related to better practices.
To be fair, it is a Fast Company piece on the research; I really ought to read the actual book before I judge. Still, from previous experience, scientific advice tends to be dreadfully vague compared to the advice of people who have experience coaching other people at doing something. (i.e. scientific advice is usually much more suggestive than prescriptive, and more about “what” than “how”.)