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Why the Toast Always Lands Butter Side Down: The Science of Murphy's Law by Richard Robinson PDF

The frustrating component of life known as Murphy's (or Sod's) Law is no respecter of persons. The more you are desperate for things to go right, the more they go wrong. But, is that really the case, and, if so, is there a rational explanation?

Start looking for Murphy's Law, and you'll find it everywhere. Buses go round in threes, the queue you join always goes slowest, when your hands are full your nose starts to itch, you think of several important things to remember just as you are falling asleep...

Can there ever be a rational explanation?

The answers turn out to be one part scientific fact to three parts psychology. The world has changed a lot in the last four thousand years, but our brains haven't. So, again and again, we find our reactions are just plain out of date.

Why do you take the same wrong turning time after time?

Why is the tune you hate most the one that you can't get out of your head?

Why, when you lose something, do you keep looking in the same place over and over?
And why is it suddenly there the fourth or fifth time you look?

In this fascinating book, popular-science presenter Richard Robinson teases out the answers, accessibly and entertainingly.

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