Post by Amanda Gomez on Jun 26, 2016 3:23:52 GMT
Apophenia/Patternicity
This is my first time reading into mathematics and understanding probability in this light. Littlewood’s Law says if the sample is large enough any outrageous thing is likely to happen. In fact, miracles are likely to happen once a month based on these large numbers. From what I understand, “you are probability” states that the odds of me being here are very slim, but the fact that there are such large numbers involved (such as 500 billion sperm) means that at least one of them is bound to join with an egg and create offspring. Again, if the sample is large enough any outrageous thing is likely to happen. I can admit that this concept of large numbers does make sense to me. At the same time, this is why it is so divine. Out of those 500 billion sperm and countless eggs, I am the one that was created. To me this comes down to more than just probability or chance. You can say that I am just another human trying to find a meaningful connection between unrelated or random things called apophenia, but ultimately I believe that everything happens for a reason. Albert Einstein once said “I am convinced that He (God) does not play dice.” (http://rescomp.stanford.edu/~cheshire/EinsteinQuotes.html)
Patternicity is looking for a pattern or meaning in random events. I agree that Elliot Benjamin’s study on license plate synchronicity is not very sound, but there is still some truth to his message. Personally I believe in the “Law of Attraction” which states that people attract what they think about and focus their energy on whether it is good or bad. Everything in the universe is energy. We as humans are constantly translating our thoughts into words and into reality. If we are constantly thinking and focusing upon a certain goal then we will make decisions that will put us in the right place and moment to attain it. This is why people say that you can be, do, or have anything you imagine. You create your own reality. I feel that the words that we speak are very powerful and may in fact come true if we are truly pouring our energy into it.
Based on these views, it makes sense that Elliot would continue to see the number 496 on multiple license plates because that is what is focusing on and giving his attention to. The more we give our attention to something the more it is active in our vibration and the more we will see it in our world. (Funny thing is I am at work right now and just as I am writing this paragraph I answer the phone with the numbers 4996 in it!) Coincidence? I think not. I think it’s the universe validating that this is exactly where I am supposed to be in the space-time reality. I have countless examples of patternicity in my life. Maybe it’s because I am looking for it so I am more aware as is stated in the book, but to me it is easy to say that things happen by chance or by luck. The universe is so vast and complex that us humans cannot fully wrap our minds around everything. To say that it all comes down to mathematics seems too simple.
One more example of patternicity I would like to share happened earlier today as I was explaining the book You are Probability to my co-worker named Bob. We were talking about the sperm and egg example and he goes on to tell me about someone he met at the gym recently. Bob said he met a woman at the gym located in his apartment complex that has Multiple Sclerosis. This woman saw Bob doing various workouts and asked him if he would be willing to help train her. To anyone else this probably wouldn’t mean much. But Bob was very intrigued by this meeting. First, this was his first time back in the gym in months. Second, Bob’s wife was diagnosed with M.S. two years ago. Third, Bob used to be a personal trainer! Does this come down to plain luck or randomness? He and I both agree that meetings like this are part of divine timing, being at the right place at the right time. He did not agree to be her personal trainer, but he did give her a workout plan and is eager to hear how it has helped her.
Cite
Harris, Kevin. Collected Quotes from Albert Einstein, 1995. Web. 25 June 2016. rescomp.stanford.edu/~cheshire/EinsteinQuotes.html.
This is my first time reading into mathematics and understanding probability in this light. Littlewood’s Law says if the sample is large enough any outrageous thing is likely to happen. In fact, miracles are likely to happen once a month based on these large numbers. From what I understand, “you are probability” states that the odds of me being here are very slim, but the fact that there are such large numbers involved (such as 500 billion sperm) means that at least one of them is bound to join with an egg and create offspring. Again, if the sample is large enough any outrageous thing is likely to happen. I can admit that this concept of large numbers does make sense to me. At the same time, this is why it is so divine. Out of those 500 billion sperm and countless eggs, I am the one that was created. To me this comes down to more than just probability or chance. You can say that I am just another human trying to find a meaningful connection between unrelated or random things called apophenia, but ultimately I believe that everything happens for a reason. Albert Einstein once said “I am convinced that He (God) does not play dice.” (http://rescomp.stanford.edu/~cheshire/EinsteinQuotes.html)
Patternicity is looking for a pattern or meaning in random events. I agree that Elliot Benjamin’s study on license plate synchronicity is not very sound, but there is still some truth to his message. Personally I believe in the “Law of Attraction” which states that people attract what they think about and focus their energy on whether it is good or bad. Everything in the universe is energy. We as humans are constantly translating our thoughts into words and into reality. If we are constantly thinking and focusing upon a certain goal then we will make decisions that will put us in the right place and moment to attain it. This is why people say that you can be, do, or have anything you imagine. You create your own reality. I feel that the words that we speak are very powerful and may in fact come true if we are truly pouring our energy into it.
Based on these views, it makes sense that Elliot would continue to see the number 496 on multiple license plates because that is what is focusing on and giving his attention to. The more we give our attention to something the more it is active in our vibration and the more we will see it in our world. (Funny thing is I am at work right now and just as I am writing this paragraph I answer the phone with the numbers 4996 in it!) Coincidence? I think not. I think it’s the universe validating that this is exactly where I am supposed to be in the space-time reality. I have countless examples of patternicity in my life. Maybe it’s because I am looking for it so I am more aware as is stated in the book, but to me it is easy to say that things happen by chance or by luck. The universe is so vast and complex that us humans cannot fully wrap our minds around everything. To say that it all comes down to mathematics seems too simple.
One more example of patternicity I would like to share happened earlier today as I was explaining the book You are Probability to my co-worker named Bob. We were talking about the sperm and egg example and he goes on to tell me about someone he met at the gym recently. Bob said he met a woman at the gym located in his apartment complex that has Multiple Sclerosis. This woman saw Bob doing various workouts and asked him if he would be willing to help train her. To anyone else this probably wouldn’t mean much. But Bob was very intrigued by this meeting. First, this was his first time back in the gym in months. Second, Bob’s wife was diagnosed with M.S. two years ago. Third, Bob used to be a personal trainer! Does this come down to plain luck or randomness? He and I both agree that meetings like this are part of divine timing, being at the right place at the right time. He did not agree to be her personal trainer, but he did give her a workout plan and is eager to hear how it has helped her.
Cite
Harris, Kevin. Collected Quotes from Albert Einstein, 1995. Web. 25 June 2016. rescomp.stanford.edu/~cheshire/EinsteinQuotes.html.