In this episode of “Ok Now You Know,” host Joe Garner delves into the fascinating world of superstitions. From common practices like avoiding ladders and knocking on wood to more obscure beliefs, Garner explores the origins and psychological underpinnings of these age-old traditions. Superstitions have threaded their way through human history, surviving even in an era dominated by scientific reasoning.

Garner begins by defining superstitions as beliefs or practices that aim to influence or predict outcomes without logical or scientific backing. Using SEO-optimized keywords like “origins of superstitions” and “superstitious beliefs,” Garner highlights how these practices often stem from humanity’s innate desire to find patterns in randomness. He draws on examples like the ancient Egyptian regard for triangles and the Roman concept of mirrors capturing souls to illustrate these points. The episode also dives into the role of psychology in perpetuating superstitions, focusing on phenomena like confirmation bias and the self-fulfilling prophecy, which reinforce these seemingly irrational beliefs.