The irrationality of superstition (long post)

#1
albedo33

albedo33

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#1
I am living proof that superstitions are real, irrational, and last a lifetime. In 1959, I listened on the radio as Tennessee played #1 LSU. The Tigers began the game making 6-8 yards on every play and were soon up 7-0. I couldn't bear listening to LSU run roughshod over my Vols. I went outside to play, and would ask my mother how the game was going every few minutes. She had more faith than I and continued to listen. It helped that she was cooking supper and had to stay in the kitchen.

Eventually it was 7-7. The Vols continued to play well. To my surprise an ordinary UT team (they finished the season 5-4-1) was soon leading the best team in the country 14-7. But there was no way I could listen to the game – I'd jinx them if I did, you see. As if the outcome of the game hinged on whether or not a kid who was 50 miles from the stadium chose to listen to the game on the radio or not. Such is the irrationality of superstition. Only after The Stop could I listen as the game ended 14-13, Tennessee.

In 57 years nothing has changed. After the embarrassment of the first half of yesterday's game, I could stand it no more. I switched the channel to another game and followed UT-UF on my iPhone. Soon it was 21-10. Okay, that's better. Then, 21-17 – much better! But I did not dare go back to watching it on TV – that would ruin everything! Disaster would immediately strike the boys in orange and gray. It would be the 1st half all over again. Then, 24-21, UT! Wow, what's got into them? 31-21? 38-21! Thank goodness I'm not watching the game! My changing the channel was just what Dobbs, Barnett, & company needed!

Only when the Gators were down three scores, with the game safely in hand, could I watch again. BTW, nothing was sweeter than watching the post-game celebration. CBJ “leading” the band, the players mixing with fans, 'Rocky Top' and the 'Tennessee Waltz.' It was the perfect ending to a great game.

So if you're wondering how the Vols staged their comeback, now you know. It's because a man who was 1,495 miles west of Knoxville switched the channel to another game at halftime. Such is the irrationality of superstition.
 
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#2
#2
I know that feeling man. I have that in other sports. Keep rooting for VOLS and stay away from that TV until final whistle of National Championship game !! We going all the way, as long as you stay away (from TV).
 
#3
#3
I couldve swore we won because I changed seats in the stadium after halftime. After the 3rd quarter the event staff guy that I had been standing beside the entire 1st half came down to my seat and said "dont you dare leave that seat again". I never moved.....we won. Case closed
 
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#5
#5
My Sister-in-law bought me some orange Chuck Taylors for my birthday. A nice gift, but not something I would normally wear. They have been in the box since I got them. Yesterday at halftime I pulled them out and laced them up. I suppose I'll be wearing them on Gameday from here on out.
 
#6
#6
I've worn the same shorts and gray polo for every game this year. If we make it through the next three games, I'm going to be freezing my butt off in November.
 
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#7
#7
Some people around me kept complaining that the checkerboard look was causing us to lose. So after half time I "broke up the checkerboard" by taking off my shirt (don't worry I had an t-shirt on underneath - just a different color). The turnaround was almost instant. Such is the power of superstition
 
#8
#8
VonVol said:
My Sister-in-law bought me some orange Chuck Taylors for my birthday. A nice gift, but not something I would normally wear. They have been in the box since I got them. Yesterday at halftime I pulled them out and laced them up. I suppose I'll be wearing them on Gameday from here on out.
Click to expand...

Damn right...you found the mojo!
 
#9
#9
It wasn't any one of you guys. It was all of you.....and that mysterious General Neyland breeze that blew through the stadium that I heard about.
 
#10
#10
Confession: I wore my under armour orange shirt for the game yesterday, but wasn't paying attention to my shorts. At halftime while I was ranting, raving, and feeling dejected my better half informed me that I was wearing Florida colors (light gray with blue trim shorts + above shirt.) So after my eff you, eff me moment, I stormed into my room, put on my orange shorts that somewhat matched, and proceeded to claim that UT was going to come back and win since I changed into all orange. Whole family thought I was nuts. So after every score, I just looked at them and pointed. So sorry for the first half everyone. My bad. At least I changed in time so we could win.
 
#11
#11
My wife watched the entire first half with me. Then said wife left to take our daughter to a bday party. She was gone during the entire 3rd quarter. Then her phone started blowing up from my friends who I was ignoring at the time due to the change in momentum.

She texted me to ask what was going on. I told her i couldnt talk about it and not to come home yet.

She finally got back with my daughter during floridas final scoring drive in the 4th q. I made her leave. Literally, get back in your van and go.

She did it b/c she loves me. It worked. Florduh couldn't do jack when she left again.
 
#12
#12
albedo33 said:
I am living proof that superstitions are real, irrational, and last a lifetime. In 1959, I listened on the radio as Tennessee played #1 LSU. The Tigers began the game making 6-8 yards on every play and were soon up 7-0. I couldn't bear listening to LSU run roughshod over my Vols. I went outside to play, and would ask my mother how the game was going every few minutes. She had more faith than I and continued to listen. It helped that she was cooking supper and had to stay in the kitchen.

Eventually it was 7-7. The Vols continued to play well. To my surprise an ordinary UT team (they finished the season 5-4-1) was soon leading the best team in the country 14-7. But there was no way I could listen to the game – I'd jinx them if I did, you see. As if the outcome of the game hinged on whether or not a kid who was 50 miles from the stadium chose to listen to the game on the radio or not. Such is the irrationality of superstition. Only after The Stop could I listen as the game ended 14-13, Tennessee.

In 57 years nothing has changed. After the embarrassment of the first half of yesterday's game, I could stand it no more. I switched the channel to another game and followed UT-UF on my iPhone. Soon it was 21-10. Okay, that's better. Then, 21-17 – much better! But I did not dare go back to watching it on TV – that would ruin everything! Disaster would immediately strike the boys in orange and gray. It would be the 1st half all over again. Then, 24-21, UT! Wow, what's got into them? 31-21? 38-21! Thank goodness I'm not watching the game! My changing the channel was just what Dobbs, Barnett, & company needed!

Only when the Gators were down three scores, with the game safely in hand, could I watch again. BTW, nothing was sweeter than watching the post-game celebration. CBJ “leading” the band, the players mixing with fans, 'Rocky Top' and the 'Tennessee Waltz.' It was the perfect ending to a great game.

So if you're wondering how the Vols staged their comeback, now you know. It's because a man who was 1,495 miles west of Knoxville switched the channel to another game at halftime. Such is the irrationality of superstition.
Click to expand...

LOL! I totally understand. For years, my Dad wouldn't shave on Saturdays. I too have had that feeling that we do better when I listen on the radio vs watch. There was a period of time when I had to avoid hearing John Ward or Bob Kesling say, "It's football time in Tennessee," because I had formulated that listening to the kick off was bad luck. I should probably see a shrink. :)
 
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#13
#13
Those of us who turned the game around by changing the channel, changing shirts, and telling wives not to come home can hold our heads high today. We were there when the Vols needed us most!!
 
#14
#14
albedo33 said:
Only when the Gators were down three scores, with the game safely in hand, could I watch again. BTW, nothing was sweeter than watching the post-game celebration. CBJ “leading” the band, the players mixing with fans, 'Rocky Top' and the 'Tennessee Waltz.' It was the perfect ending to a great game.

So if you're wondering how the Vols staged their comeback, now you know. It's because a man who was 1,495 miles west of Knoxville switched the channel to another game at halftime. Such is the irrationality of superstition.
Click to expand...

So YOU'RE the reason Florida got that last touchdown? Come on man!
 
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