The dangers of flying

1 November 2007

I must make a point of never again flying while the All Blacks are playing in the World Cup. I was over the Atlantic for the 1995 final, and flying home from the South Island during this tournament's quarter-final. The conclusion is plain: if I'm flying, the All Blacks lose. I know this is nonsense, but the power of coincidence is such that when two rare events coincide twice, it's hard not to feel they must be linked. Even when the main reason for my trip south was to attend the 2007 New Zealand Skeptics' Conference, where the pitfalls of such superstitious thinking were repeatedly exposed. As always, the event was a hugely enjoyable occasion, with lots of good company, interesting presentations and fine food.