Numerology

[masse7326]

Is anyone interested in this? I know more people understand numerology more than handwriting analysis (as I've been told). It seems like numerology is like learning about the zodiacs. Some believe in it and some don't. I'm getting into it and would like to know more about it, even though I bought a book about it along with the Handwriting Analysis book.


~s~

[Mr. Saint]

I am a mathematician currently working on discreet applied mathematics. This includes game theory as well as other forms of behavioral mathematics. I am currently doing my own research and am working with UC Berkley. Next year I am going to MIT to continue my work. My life is studying numbers and there connection to behavior. Numerology is complete bull. There is nothing of value in it; just a bunch of superstitions.

[sera300]

Originally Posted by Mr. Saint

I am a mathematician currently working on discreet applied mathematics. This includes game theory as well as other forms of behavioral mathematics. I am currently doing my own research and am working with UC Berkley. Next year I am going to MIT to continue my work. My life is studying numbers and there connection to behavior. Numerology is complete bull. There is nothing of value in it; just a bunch of superstitions.

Discreet Math huh? I used to take that stuff for comp sci...it was referred to as the "secret math"...interesting though for logic! GL!

[Brandye]

... and if Mr Saint has not made the case, I am certain there are hundreds of numerology sites around the web. Most people here are only interested in the number 28 - and whether the period arrives then.

[Hugh7]

Originally Posted by Mr. Saint

I am a mathematician currently working on discreet applied mathematics. This includes game theory as well as other forms of behavioral mathematics. I am currently doing my own research and am working with UC Berkley. Next year I am going to MIT to continue my work. My life is studying numbers and there connection to behavior. Numerology is complete bull. There is nothing of value in it; just a bunch of superstitions.

I agree, but I doubt that a statement like that will convince anybody who wants to believe in it. Especially if they have gone to a practitioner and had a reading (I assume there are people who do this, like astrologers and other -mancers) and been astounded by its accuracy.

The secret of that is that people are much more alike than different, and there are many statements you can make about people that are universally true, but sound as if they're specific - especially if they refer to hidden weaknesses. Most people are more insecure than they'll admit, about something or other. If the reading sounds as though it knows your secret fear, it's very impressive.

The other technique of these people is "cold reading" - using the signs that we all give, in clothing, mannerisms, jewellery, age. (I'm a bit ashamed of this now, but I once read a young woman with scars on her wrists. I said "Ah, I see you've had a lot of trouble in your life" and the floodgates opened.) Cold reading also involves a lot of fishing - "Is that right?" - and turning misses into near misses and then into hits. ("You live near water...?" "In the middle of a desert actually, the nearest lake's 100 miles away." "Ah, so finding water is very important to you." "Yes! How did you know that?")

And numerology itself? It's certainly hard to see how numbers, which measure out human constructs - for example there's nothing special about base-10, it's just that we have 10 fingers, and we'd have different birthdays if we didn't use the Gregorian calendar - can have any permanent connection to things like our character. What on earth would be the mechanism connecting them?

But people who go for things like numerology don't think like that. It's more about things feeling right to them. And getting a reading, any kind of reading, like a massage or a pedicure, is good for a person, because you're getting someone else's undivided attention (which is also a trick of gurus and other charismatic people), and that just feels good.