NationStates Jolt Archive

Okay. So, I've had a pretty bad 2007 thus far. My roommates grandma died, followed shortly after by my 21 year old friend, followed by my friends 2 month old nephew, whos funeral was today.

Now, my mom was an ER nurse for years, and came to rely on the "power of 3's" as she calls it. Basically, bad things will happen in groups of threes. In other words, my rough patch will be over.

Me and her have debated it non stop recently...I hold that no stupid rule will hold...there have been bad things that have impacted me that wern't death related, yet more death came. And inevitably (unless I die right now), will come again, and won't be predictable.
She holds that no matter what, things happen in a cluster of threes. Death will happen again, but since I have hit three, there will be a bit of a pause.

Now, I doubt I will have to deal with another death within the next month or two, but that is sheer odds in my opinion. She holds that it is because of her "power of 3's"

So, what does NSG think of this little theory of hers?

So, what does NSG think of this little theory of hers?
I think deeply-held religious beliefs are less annoying. At least they have millenia of intellectual masturbation to back them up.

power of thees my ass. my cosin just got maied amd
I'm poele/ . Deus Malum out, you!

I think deeply-held religious beliefs are less annoying. At least they have millenia of intellectual masturbation to back them up.

thats what gets me...I've heard this little power of 3 thing before, almost always from catholics and episcopals, or those in nursing.

I don't personally agree with it. I wish I did for the sake of my sanity, but I don't.

power of thees my ass. my cosin just got maied amd
I'm poele/ . Deus Malum out, you!

Hehehe, you're more wasted then the Bush twins.

So, what does NSG think of this little theory of hers?

I have a similar theory. Not three, but two. Last year my nana died, then my friend who was also my teacher died. And that was it for the year's badness.

This year, in January, one of my friends died. And just today I found out an old friend that I used to go to school with died.


It's more of a.. um.. "quota".. or something.

Let's hope the road is smooth from now on. I think our mother is on to something. :)

I have a similar theory. Not three, but two. Last year my nana died, then my friend who was also my teacher died. And that was it for the year's badness.

This year, in January, one of my friends died. And just today I found out an old friend that I used to go to school with died.


It's more of a.. um.. "quota".. or something.

Let's hope the road is smooth from now on. I think our mother is on to something. :)

:fluffle:
sorry for your various losses. (yes, I detest having people say sorry to me, but really, what else is there to say?)
With any luck, it will be. I'm not gonna lie, losing a 21 year old friend hit hard...seeing a father have to bury his 2 month old was a bit too much. If there is more to come, then I'm not so sure I'll be able to do it (clearly, if it comes up, I will, but damn.).

:fluffle:
sorry for your various losses. (yes, I detest having people say sorry to me, but really, what else is there to say?)
*looks around* :fluffle:

I hate it when people say they're sorry, but yeah, I know they're not going to say "Shit heppens." like I want them to. Ya get what ya get.
With any luck, it will be. I'm not gonna lie, losing a 21 year old friend hit hard...seeing a father have to bury his 2 month old was a bit too much. If there is more to come, then I'm not so sure I'll be able to do it (clearly, if it comes up, I will, but damn.).

When the funeral for the friend who died in January came around, the mother hugged me. I don't know why I did it, but I pulled away from her after a few seconds. Can't handle emotions like that, I guess..

Apathetic shell? *shrugs*

*looks around* :fluffle:

I hate it when people say they're sorry, but yeah, I know they're not going to say "Shit heppens." like I want them to. Ya get what ya get.


When the funeral for the friend who died in January came around, the mother hugged me. I don't know why I did it, but I pulled away from her after a few seconds. Can't handle emotions like that, I guess..

Apathetic shell? *shrugs*

A hug is easy...try daily phone calls, lasting atleast an hour, followed by a surprise visit...all when you really just want to be left alone.

and I really need to figure out something better than "I'm sorry".

In the bright side, good things will happen in threes too then.

In the bright side, good things will happen in threes too then.

*shrug*
Right now, I don't see any 3 good things that could balance these past 3 bad things....
Granted, we're talking very fresh wounds, so maybe. But I dunno.

MY theory of the theory of threes is that it is just a way for the human brain (which is naturally mathematical) to group things and to reason that "Okay, thats three, I can have some peace of mind now knowing that I have a reasonable break before anything else bad happens".

I like the theory of threes and it rather fits well. This was my Mum last year: 1. She was diagnosed with a cist in about April. 2. My grandfather/her father died in June as a result of a car accident he had 2 months earlier. 3. In about August she went and did her achilles tendon and was on crutches for 4 months

It is just a way for people to group events so that it might seem more bareable

Strangely related to the saying "When it rains, it pours".

I think the threes thing is total crap.

That superstition is one of the ones that aggraves me the most.

Foolish superstition.

(ow, brainfart - superstition has really funny looking spelling, doesn't it?)

Funny thing is, once you think about it, when minor bad things happen you start counting.

Now, I doubt I will have to deal with another death within the next month or two, but that is sheer odds in my opinion. She holds that it is because of her "power of 3's"
So, what does NSG think of this little theory of hers?

"It's a load of wash, if you ask me. If you look for number, any number, and try to attach some great meaning to it, you're going to find plenty of coincidences."
(Morte, from Planescape: Torment)



And it's true. You'll find even more coincidences for number 2, as nearly anything has its pair. A little less for 4, and so on. Well, and you can find them for any number, really.

If you want, for instance, take the number 11:
http://jewsdidwtc.com/proof.php?evidence=cubictime

yeah, the human brain likes to think up little coincidences like that. I like the theory of 3s but understand that it is just a way for the brain to find some form of reason as to why things happen.

It would be interesting to do some research into that area I think. i also believe that you may find the human brain is intrinsically mathematical

I have three kidneys, but only two testicles. :(

I have three kidneys, but only two testicles. :(

But three kids. :)

Just the brain trying to find patterns in things which have none.

MY theory of the theory of threes is that it is just a way for the human brain (which is naturally mathematical) to group things and to reason that "Okay, thats three, I can have some peace of mind now knowing that I have a reasonable break before anything else bad happens".
Yeah, we're pattern-seeking creatures, so it's not surprising if we start to see patterns where none exist. I find that bad things happen to me randomly rather than in little groups.

But three kids. :)

Touche'! :)

it's bunk, sorry. my mum's got lots of these superstitions and whatever as well. i guess it's just a mechanism for generating hope. benign but ultimately useless. realism gets you further.

My family believes the power of three thingy too, but they were mostly catholic... anyway, I have seen it hold true, although I figure it's one of those things that I pay attention to too much because it has been drilled into my brain since I was a child. Kinda like my right hand itching means I will meet someone influential, which is weird because I always do, but then I wonder if I really met someone else influential a few days back and just didn't notice because my hand was comfortable.... you know what I mean?

Holds equally true for 2s and 4s and 5s....

But chances for higher numbers are lower, while life is never nice enough for it to be 1.

*looks around* :fluffle:

:eek: I saw you!!

Yoo phluphphled! :D

No.... Power of 3s is total bunk...

However, if you spilt salt and failed to throw a small pinch with your right hand over your left shoulder, I'd have no pity for you. :D

gee sark, you have a power of ONE there. someone else's grandmother and someone's brother's baby dont go on your tally.

thousands of people die every day. you could find a way to connect to hundreds of them.

your mother was just trying to make you feel better. its a nonsensical superstition.