Fishing in the open sea, on the other hand, was more dangerous, with prospects that were much less certain, resulting in a lower sense of control. The water in the inner lagoon was always calm and the fishing consistent, with little risk and, consequently, a high level of perceived control. When fishermen set sail for the open sea, however, there were much higher levels of superstitious behavior, often involving elaborate rituals. In the inner lagoon, fishing was straightforward, with little ritual. Malinowski noticed, for example, that the behavior of fishermen in the Trobriand Islands changed depending on where they fished. Anthropologist Bronisław Malinowski argued that magical beliefs and superstitious behaviors allow people to reduce the tension created by uncertainty and help fill the void of the unknown. Control is an important coping strategy, and a lack of control can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Accepting this user illusion is far more manageable than having to deal with the complexity of computer programming.Īnthropologist Bronisław Malinowski argued that magical beliefs and superstitious behaviors help fill the void of the unknown.Īnother aspect is the illusory sense of control that magic provides, with magical beliefs offering a helping hand in situations beyond our rational control. Every time you empty your computer’s trash folder, you happily accept the magical belief that the files within have been deleted. For example, human-computer interactions rely on a deep-rooted magical belief that is typically known as the user illusion. Magical beliefs can help us deal with complex situations that we would otherwise simply fail to comprehend, and they can make the inanimate world more understandable. Similar concepts also play a role in our adult lives. In children, magical beliefs provide fuel for imaginary role-playing and fantasizing that helps them master difficult problems and maintain a feeling of independence and power.
This article is adapted from Gustav Kuhn’s book “ Experiencing the Impossible.”
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