Coin toss not so random after all, says groundbreaking study

Oct 12, 2023 | Home, Show | 0 comments

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Hey there, fellow coin-flippers and chance-takers! Remember the days when we used to whip out good ol’ coins to make those snap decisions? Well, it turns out our trusty coins might not be as random as we thought.

A new study has shaken the world of coin flipping by revealing a “slight tendency” for coins to land on the same side they started from. Yeah, you heard that right. They’ve done the math, and after more than 350,000 coin flips, it turns out that those little discs chose their original side 51% of the time, just slightly above our traditional 50/50 notion. It might not sound like a big deal, but hey, in the world of statistics, every percentage point counts – just ask the casinos!

Now, before you start worrying about where to grab lunch based on this revelation, rest assured that a coin flip is still pretty random for everyday decisions. But when it comes to high-stakes situations like gambling, where the odds matter, this newfound “same-side” bias could make a difference.

This isn’t the first time someone pointed out this odd coin behavior. Back in 2007, Stanford researchers had already sniffed out this tendency, also at 51%. But here’s the kicker: in both studies, the coins were caught mid-air, no bouncing. If you give your coin a hearty slap on the table or your hand, it’s a different story – you might get the reverse of the same-side bias.

The study involved coins from all over the world, so it’s not about any specific currency’s design. So, if you still want to keep your coin flips thrillingly random, remember to let them bounce or, for extra suspense, give that coin a good shake in your cupped hands first. That way, you’ll never know which side is up! Happy flipping!

The Average Person Encounters Five Bugs a Week

Oct 10, 2023 | Holidays, Home, Show | 0 comments

Photo by Pixabay/pexels.com

If someone says they wouldn’t hurt a fly, they might just be outsourcing that job to someone else.

A new poll found the average person encounters a bug or pest five times a week.  And most of us WILL squish them if necessary. 

But 20% would much rather report it, and let someone else do the squishing.The survey found we’re more likely to squish a bug if we find it inside our home, which makes sense. 

But 12%… or one in eight people… feel it’s their “duty” to catch-and-release, and take the bug outside.  So some of us DO care.

A few of the top bugs we’ll immediately squish include beetles, cockroaches, and centipedes. 

But only 16% said they usually squish spiders.

Speaking of spiders, the poll found 40% of us still believe the old myth that you swallow eight spiders a year in your sleep.  That’s not really true.  The actual number is right around zero.

Final stat:  The poll found the worst time and place to spot a bug in your home is in the kitchen when you’re in the middle of cooking.

 

Obsessed with a Target Halloween Decoration

Oct 9, 2023 | Holidays, Home, Show | 0 comments

Photo: Target

It’s impossible to predict what random thing becomes the next sensation the next must-have the next Beanie Babies, or Tickle Me Elmo, or Furby, or even Hatchimals.  But THIS is stranger than ALL of those.

Over the past week, a Halloween decoration at Target has gone viral.  It’s a jack-o-lantern humanoid that’s dressed like a ghoul that’s eight-feet-tall that costs $180.000 that is named “LEWIS.”

It also speaks when you push a button.  Its main line is:  “I am NOT a jack-o-lantern.  My name is Lewis.”

Others include:  “Trick or treat, all you creepy crawlers.” “Hello, hello!  I’m so happy you could carve out some time to come out tonight” and “Crooked smile and glowing eyes, I see all your tricks from way up high.”  (Okay, that one is pretty good.)

Lewis is SOLD OUT everywhere despite being huge, expensive, and a Halloween decoration that’s going to spend 11 months in your garage.

But even if you can’t OWN a Lewis right now you can visit him.  Many Target locations have Lewis set up inside the store, and people have been posting videos on social media of “meeting” him like he’s a celebrity.

Videos like those are what made Lewis go viral in the first place, with people saying things like, “Lewis is the best decoration of all time.”

Others have created shirts inspired by Lewis, and people have publicly called out Target locations that don’t have Lewis plugged in.

Target hasn’t commented, so it’s unclear when or if Lewis will be back in stock.

 

Uber Will Now Return Your Online Orders for You

Oct 6, 2023 | Home, Show | 0 comments

Photo: New Africa (Shutterstock)

Charmin Spent 5 Years Redesigning the Tear?

Oct 5, 2023 | Home, Show | 0 comments

The Power of Face-to-Face Conversations: Boosting Your Mood Beyond Screens

Sep 21, 2023 | Home, Show | 0 comments

In a digital age dominated by screens and solitude, a recent study from the University of Georgia’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences offers a heartening revelation: Talking to another person, even a stranger, has the remarkable ability to lift our spirits more than the allure of our smartphones or the tranquility of solitude.

Unlocking the Mood-Boosting Potential of Conversations

Lead author and doctoral student, Christina Leckfor, embarked on this research endeavor to delve into the fascinating realm of human behavior. She wanted to understand how people perceive and experience different activities in their lives. As Leckfor explained, “When people are out in the real world, they have these options.” The study aimed to uncover how individuals gauge these options—what they expect to feel and what they actually feel after engaging in these activities.

Exploring Expectations vs. Reality

To unravel these perceptions, the researchers carefully organized study participants into four distinct groups. Two groups were tasked with predicting their emotional responses to various actions, while the other two groups put those predictions into action. Each group was then asked to rank these options based on their level of enjoyment and the likelihood of experiencing positive or negative emotions.

Contrary to initial assumptions, the study’s findings challenged the notion that people would underestimate the pleasure of conversing with a stranger while overestimating the allure of their smartphones. Leckfor noted, “But that’s not what we found. Across our studies, people were actually more accurate in predicting how they would feel than we thought they’d be.”

The Triumph of Real-Life Conversations

When confronted with three choices—using a smartphone, spending time alone, or engaging in a conversation with a stranger—real-life interactions emerged as the clear winner, boasting the “highest positive emotional value” in both groups. Surprisingly, using a smartphone took second place, while the seemingly peaceful solitude of sitting alone claimed the third spot.

In an era where screens seem to rule our lives, this study serves as a reminder of the unparalleled magic of face-to-face conversations. It underscores the underestimated joy and mood-enhancing potential of connecting with others, even those we don’t know. So, the next time you find yourself torn between your phone and a chance encounter with a stranger, remember that the simple act of conversation might just be the mood-boosting remedy you didn’t know you needed.