For Friday the 13th, TED-Ed answers 'Where do superstitions come from?'

Happy Friday the 13th!  On this day when I could write more about the responses to coronavirus and frame them as bad luck, I'm instead recycling the idea behind Brain Stuff explains why Friday the 13th is considered unlucky and The Infographics Show asks why are we afraid of Friday the 13th and the number 13?  I think it's time to spread some knowledge instead of fear, as justified as the latter might be given the current circumstances.  To that end, watch and listen as Stuart Vyse narrates TED-Ed's Where do superstitions come from?

Are you afraid of black cats? Would you open an umbrella indoors? How do you feel about the number 13? Whether or not you believe in them, you’re probably familiar with a few of these superstitions. But where did they come from? Stuart Vyse shares the weird and specific origins of some of our favorite superstitions.

Great video, but it never did get around to explaining the superstition around black cats, although it did a great job with the fears around 13, 17, 4, and 14.  Just the same, I'm continuing to be a good environmentalist and recycling what I wrote the Friday the 13th before last: "It's a good day when I learn something new, even if it is Friday the 13th."

Enough about superstitions.  Stay tuned for a string of holiday posts, as tomorrow is Pi Day and Einstein's birthday, Sunday is the Ides of March, Tuesday is St. Patrick's Day, Thursday is the Vernal Equinox, Saturday is Nowruz (Persian New Year), which I celebrate on that day because it's the blog's birthday, and Sunday is World Water Day and Marche du Nain Rouge.  Other than the Ides of March, World Water Day, and maybe Nowruz, there probably isn't much opportunity for DOOM next week.  That's probably a good thing.