Blog Posts Stacey 2 Likes

How to (Truly) Improve Your Luck

In 1938, a Detroit street sweeper named Joseph Figlock saved the life of a baby falling from an apartment building. A lucky moment, indeed. It was also an odd coincidence, because, according to Time magazine, the same man had performed the very same act just a year prior. Even more astounding? It was reported to be the same baby.

Astonishing tales like this make us laugh in disbelief. But behind the laughter lurks fear: Humans have a deep psychological need for the universe to feel controllable—or at least predictable. “People are much more relaxed if they feel in command, whether they really are or not,” says David Hand, a British statistician and author of The Improbability Principle. “The notion that events might happen just by chance can be terrifying.”

As a species, we persuade ourselves that we can influence random events, a fantasy psychologists call “the illusion of control.” Casino gamblers throw dice more gently when they want lower numbers, according to one study. In another, 40 percent of subjects believed they could get better outcomes from tossing a coin the more they practiced. It’s little wonder, then, that people sit up and listen when self-help gurus claim to offer techniques for learning to be luckier. The good news is that, in some sense, you really can “make your own luck.”

For starters, forget about influencing the outcome of truly chance-based events, like coin tosses or lottery draws.

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The Amazing SpiderDad

Mike Wilson is a professional freerunner and parkour athlete. He’s also a father. His son Jayden developed a passion for Spider-Man, so Wilson became SpiderDad! Jayden was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer just after his 4th birthday. For his 5th birthday, Spider-Dad came to visit! The event last fall was captured on video, which eventually got over ten million views. Wilson had further plans to make a Spider-Dad movie to show Jayden, but Jayden died on Christmas Eve, 2014.

The SpiderDad Film was inspired by my son Jayden who sadly lost his 18 month battle at Christmas to a Grade 4 Brain Stem Tumor called, Glyoblastoma Multi-Forme. Before he died, we began filming with the full intention of giving Jayden his very own Premiere at home, with drinks and popcorn. Just like at the cinema. I was very passionate about making this look and feel as real as possible for our little super hero. Even to the finest details of webbing effects, stunts, the Spiderman suit and generally providing a feel good energy about the film.

Sadly, the little fighter became very ill, and his very own Premiere wasn’t able to happen. It became a dedication project to the bravest, and most courageous little boy we know, always willing to give a smile and thumbs up at even the most difficult of times. In addition, we wanted this to also raise awareness and money for the charity who gave our family so much support whilst caring for Jayden, as well as the continued after care for our entire family and his big sister Ella.

(YouTube link)

All proceeds from the YouTube video will benefit Naomi House hospice. You can learn more about the story at Wilson’s SpiderDad website. -via Geeks Are Sexy


The Internet Responds to Slayer's New Album Cover

Earlier this week, metal band Slayer revealed the cover art of their new album, Repentless. The image, created by Brazilian artist Marcelo Vasco in collaboration with bassist Tom Araya and guitarist Kerry King, is definitely edgy.

While you could've easily predicted backlash from religious Christians, the band probably didn't see what the Internet saw: the uncanny similarity between the album cover image with Ecce Homo, the 100-year-old fresco by Elias Garcia Martinez, made famous when it was "restored" by an elderly churchgoer.

It took Slayer years to come up with the new album, but Metal Injection reported that it took the Internet just a day or so to release this:

What do you think? Is it an improvement?


Photographer Captures Adorable Images Of A Squirrel On A Rainy Day

The rain can dampen anyone’s day, but when you’re a little squirrel without a tree nearby to provide cover you can end up all wet. That’s why squirrels don’t like to come out when it’s raining, they prefer to keep their spirits like their tails- high and dry.

So what’s a squirrel loving photographer to do when he has a tiny umbrella and a brilliant idea for an adorable photo series?

If you’re legendary photographer and squirrel fan Max Ellis you coat the tiny umbrella in peanut butter and sunflower seeds then hang it on a fishing line on a rainy day.

Max has proven he can get a squirrel to pose for a series of great pics even on a rainy day, now where can I find a tiny umbrella?

-Via Earthporm


Man Throws Himself into Frozen Lake to Rescue Duck

(Photo: VG)

Last December, Norwegian man Lars Jørun Langøien saw a duck walk on the surface of a frozen lake. The ice was thin and collapsed under the duck. So Langøien dove into the icy water, swimming toward it. Another man, Yngvil Søholt snapped photos of the rescue.

The duck surfaced, but only under the ice. It couldn't break through to breathe. Langøien smashed through the ice and carried the duck to the shore. Then he breathed into its bill in order to resuscitate it. You can see more photos of this thrilling rescue at the tabloid Express.

-via Mike Hendricks


Medusa at the Ball Game


(Berkeley Mews/Ben Zaehringer)

Every gorgon occasionally wants a day off to go the ballfield and see a game. But the jumbotron isn't for you. And don't even try to get featured on the kiss cam.


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