Perhaps it's the western idea of "scientific knowledge" that deems superstitions trite. We're supposed to laugh at the absurdity and even question the credibility of those who believe in such foolish matters. Even one my first-year psychology text states that the paranormal is only "a surprising concurrence of events, perceived as meaningfully related, with no apparent causal connection." Donald H. McBurney, the author of this book, also argues from the point of probability, stating that some events are much more likely than they would seem.

But are these superstitious beliefs unfounded? Why do people make it a point to mention the thirteenth falls on a Friday? Is walking under a ladder really bad luck? The only aversive consequence that could happen is if the ladder were to suddenly give way, no?

Western notions of the Chinese culture often conjure up the idea of superstitions. In The Concubine's Children, "danger and evil spirits lurk everywhere" and gods are often called upon for their influence in future outcomes. Traditionalists still burn paper money and prepare a well-balanced meal to fend off unhappy spirits who will otherwise wander the earth.

A famous Chinese singer recently passed away from kidney failure. The Chinese have a prescribed "threshold" day where, if you're ill and live past this day, all will be well. This singer supposedly was adamant in not being admitted to the hospital despite being gravely ill because he feared this day would determine his fate. Unfortunately, he was admitted the night before.

Perhaps it is the unexplainable events that happen to us that make us believers of the supernatural; or simply given the inherent idea of the paranormal-that it cannot be explained by science because it is beyond the knowledge of science. It may even be the very fact that it is just easier to accept these ideas than to seek out the true explanations and/or probabilities of these occurrences.

Either way, I suppose many people feel it safer just to appease the gods. Why take the chance? There is supposedly a ghost that wanders along the UBC highway and she could potentially end up in your backseat...