Aren't I lucky

I was going to write about my MRI scan this morning, but while driving to work I heard a really interesting program about luck that got me thinking.

This program talked about totally rational people believing in luck - like a gambler who bets on a horse with a certain agent and looses, thinks twice next time before laying a bet with the same agent because he was unlucky. Or a mountaineer who refuses to go on a climb if everything is not exactly right - including if she has left behind her lucky ring.

I think of myself as a very rational person who doesn't believe in luck - but this program got me thinking if I do have habits that are governed by superstition about luck. I do say things like "I'm lucky to have met my husband" - although I know (or rather, I believe) that while there was certain amount of chance involved, there was nothing paranormal at work and that we are not destined to be together.

I have a habit of saying "Wish me luck" when I'm going to do something difficult. This is interesting too - I then feel better about my task and myself when someone does wish me luck. In the same way I have a habit of wishing people luck for their difficult tasks. This is where it gets tricky - if I perform better, because I feel better about myself, because someone has wished me luck, does it mean that I am deep down inside superstitious enough to believe in luck? To believe that because either I have from their wishes got some magical luck dust sprinkled on me, or just that because these people are thinking about me at particular time will make a difference on my performance?

Or is it just that the concept of luck is so deeply embedded into our culture, or perhaps in our genes that I can't help but feeling this way? Scientists have done some experiments with pigeons where the pigeons are fed every few minutes, on regular intervals, no matter what they do. But pigeons seem to believe that their actions regulate the food, and start repeating the actions they were doing the last time they got food. Maybe we're just the same: because experience/cultural belief has shown you that crossing your fingers while your best friend is throwing dice may sometimes appear to work, you do it. Or maybe rationalise this to yourself by thinking that "it won't do any harm".

A university professor used to keep a horseshoe above his door - and when asked if a highly educated man like himself really believed in luck, he replied: "I've heard they work even if you don't believe in them".

Indeed.