[redshifter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wodgy /img/forum/go_quote.gif My own guess is that the increased amount of superstition in Asian cultures -- it's not just numbers, things like fortune-telling, talismans, lucky sculptures, lucky plants, etc. are all more prevalent in Asian cultures, though the specific items vary from culture to culture (e.g. there's a huge fad going on right now in Thailand about a particular amulet some dead guy sold in the thousands, and replicas, and monks charging huge prices to bless them) -- is related to the lower amount of religiosity in Asian cultures. There's a certain segment of any population that is always inclined to magical thinking, and these practices fill a mental need. It's irrational, but it's not necessarily a sign of stupidity. Some people's minds and brain chemistry are more inclined to magical-type experiences and thinking styles. For instance, people might remember the Johns Hopkins medical study last year titled "Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance." I'm a more rational type thinker and a similar dose of psilocybin just induced a basically meditative state for me, as it did for a minority of the subjects in the study. Obviously people's brain chemistry related to magical type experiences is different. Almost everyone has some degree of irrationality, no matter how rational they profess to be, as demonstrated by the various psychological studies that have shown almost everyone has some intrinsic bias against wearing clothing they're told was owned by a murderer or someone who recently died, even if they're assured the clothing was properly laundered and sterilized.

Get out of my mind, Wodgy.

Thanks for typing in what I wanted to say, albiet more diplomatically and thoroughly.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nibiyabi /img/forum/go_quote.gif This isn't very applicable here. If an American said "socialistic practices can never work and anyone who thinks otherwise is stupid", then you'd have a point (and you'd also direct him to take a stroll through Europe). But this is the equivalent of taking a vacation to, say, France (purely hypothetical), and learning that Frenchmen are terrified of pencils. Whip out a pencil and watch 'em scatter! But you see, there was an infamous pencil murderer in the 1600s in the region and the fear has been passed down through generations so you have to be respectful of their beliefs. Um, no I don't. They are all either uneducated or stupid.

I like you..

 

[pne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wodgy /img/forum/go_quote.gif My own guess is that the increased amount of superstition in Asian cultures -- it's not just numbers, things like fortune-telling, talismans, lucky sculptures, lucky plants, etc. are all more prevalent in Asian cultures, though the specific items vary from culture to culture (e.g. there's a huge fad going on right now in Thailand about a particular amulet some dead guy sold in the thousands, and replicas, and monks charging huge prices to bless them) -- is related to the lower amount of religiosity in Asian cultures. There's a certain segment of any population that is always inclined to magical thinking, and these practices fill a mental need. It's irrational, but it's not necessarily a sign of stupidity. Some people's minds and brain chemistry are more inclined to magical-type experiences and thinking styles. For instance, people might remember the Johns Hopkins medical study last year titled "Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance." I'm a more rational type thinker and a similar dose of psilocybin just induced a basically meditative state for me, as it did for a minority of the subjects in the study. Obviously people's brain chemistry related to magical type experiences is different. Almost everyone has some degree of irrationality, no matter how rational they profess to be, as demonstrated by the various psychological studies that have shown almost everyone has some intrinsic bias against wearing clothing they're told was owned by a murderer or someone who recently died, even if they're assured the clothing was properly laundered and sterilized.

My personal belief, being asian myself, is that the religion or superstition in Asian cultures is caused by poverty, desperation, poor living conditions and a bleak future. A few decades ago, many people in China lived in third world conditions, and there are some who still do. In my mind, its a syndrome not unlike hungry greeks praying to the gods for rain so they had grain to eat.

 

[eyeresist]

From what I know about Japanese culture (admittedly, a lot of it based on anime!), they are still quite superstitious despite becoming prosperous and partly Westernised. And although the West is comparatively unsuperstitious it's still a part of our culture - we all know about Friday the 13th, black cats, walking under ladders, throwing salt over your shoulder, knocking on wood, saying "bless you", etc. Part of it is, like I said, just part of culture, and most people don't take it very seriously. On the other hand, as I think Pne suggested, when we're feeling helpless we're more likely to try anything that might work, because our options are so limited. That's why the lottery is so popular!

 

[Pokato]

I'm Chinese, but unlike the older/conservative generation which are often superstitious, I don't really care about numbers. You have to deal with, lets say "4" every day. What if a hamburger costs $4? Are you gonna stave instead of buying the meal? If the transportation fare are $4, do you rather walk miles instead of taking a bus? You can't avoid everything, so why bother with it.

 

[Pokato]

Lol just think of something, any Grado owner didn't buy the 414 Senn pads because of the numbers? 414 in Chinese sounds like "die-must-die" rofl...

 

[mrdeadfolx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gz76 /img/forum/go_quote.gif 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 *bwahahahaha* Personally I'm not superstitious.

Stole my exact post.

 

[tk3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pokato /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm Chinese, but unlike the older/conservative generation which are often superstitious, I don't really care about numbers. You have to deal with, lets say "4" every day. What if a hamburger costs $4? Are you gonna stave instead of buying the meal? If the transportation fare are $4, do you rather walk miles instead of taking a bus? You can't avoid everything, so why bother with it.

Easy, just charge $5.

 

[jayehs]

i guess everyone in the world that are religious are stupid morons.

 

[SR-71Panorama]

^^ wow.

 

[SR-71Panorama]

650 is my favorite number. In an unrelated topic, the letters H & D are my favorite, especially in unison.

 

[Schalldampfer]

I'm learning Mandarin, but it doesn't bother me.

It's also the same in Korean, actually.

But it somehow bothers me when I constantly see 8 in Chinese newspapers I browse through hoping to pick up some characters.

 

[PhaedrusX]

well, i have lived on the 13th floor of an apartment building in canada.
i have also lived on the fourth floor of a building in korea, and the fourth floor of a building in japan.

i swear.

these numbers do not phase me.

the numerical value of "pi" however, terrifies me to no end.

and now that i think about it, 3.14... reads "4" and "13" backwards.

i need a nap.

 

[shplorgh]

"If 13 is unlucky, then so should the letter B be, cause B looks like a scrunched up 13."

 

[analogbox]

Surviving a somewhat old thread.

In korea, well south at least, we never put number four on that floors elevator button. Instead, we put F meaning "Four". It's kinda like some buildings in the states that don't have number "13" button. Or is it all like that?