A truly minor nitpick: You mention ‘biorhythms’ as an example of irrational beliefs along with astrology and aliens. Quite possibly this is correct, but I suggest that it is nowhere near as well known, and therefore is a bad example; I for one do not have enough information about the belief to dismiss it as I do with astrology. For example, I believe that I need sleep at fairly regular intervals, which is presumably a biological rhythm of sorts. Without any information other than the bare label, I might identify myself as a biorhythm-believer. I’m sure you are referring to some rather wackier belief-structure, but the word ‘biorhythm’ does not have any such association for me at least, as astrology does. So it kind of jars the presentation; to borrow a trope, it’s as though we’re being told the Mensa members believe in arson, murder, and breach of estoppel.
A truly minor nitpick: You mention ‘biorhythms’ as an example of irrational beliefs along with astrology and aliens. Quite possibly this is correct, but I suggest that it is nowhere near as well known, and therefore is a bad example; I for one do not have enough information about the belief to dismiss it as I do with astrology. For example, I believe that I need sleep at fairly regular intervals, which is presumably a biological rhythm of sorts. Without any information other than the bare label, I might identify myself as a biorhythm-believer. I’m sure you are referring to some rather wackier belief-structure, but the word ‘biorhythm’ does not have any such association for me at least, as astrology does. So it kind of jars the presentation; to borrow a trope, it’s as though we’re being told the Mensa members believe in arson, murder, and breach of estoppel.
Maybe a Wikipedia link would help.