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ReverseLunge · 03-28-2005, 02:47 PM

Have you ever met people who just seem to always have good or above average luck?

Does anyone here think that there is a science to being lucky? I once heard a story that Napoleon Bonaparte, when recruting officers to lead his armies in battle, always preferred men who were "lucky" over men who were intelligent or dilligent or even more experienced.

Look at Bill Clinton. This guy didn't do all that much during his 2 terms as President. Infact he f'd around a lot and did all sorts of illegal and dishonest things. But he was an extremely lucky guy. The economy was great under him for some reason and everyone was so happy compared to now. And in the end the public and his wife forgave him for everything bad that he did.

Now look at Bush junior. This guys works hard and he really tries his best. I think he has a much much better character than Clinton but not as good of luck. Since the day he arrived in office it has been a not stop hell for him and us. American miltiary personel being held in China, Space shuttle blowing up, 9-11, recession, No WMD in Iraq...the list goes on and on.

Perhaps things like luck just can't be dissected and analyzed.

noodle · 03-28-2005, 02:58 PM

quit trolling, jeez. you're just trying to stir up a flamewar it seems.
i'm not taking the bait unless someone else pipes up.

Maeve_Mari · 03-28-2005, 03:56 PM

I'll pipe! But I think it's a legitimate question and not a flame igniter.

I do wonder if it's an appearance or perception of luckiness or if in fact that some people are luckier than others. And if so, why do they attract the lucky aura?

How do these people live that puts them into the lucky path more often.

And, Clinton/Bush aside - who do you know in your lives that always seem lucky and do you have a theory on why?

mrbiggs · 03-28-2005, 04:25 PM

I've been very lucky, once before.

I was doing a magic trick (it wasn't too good), and basically, there were two ways it could end out. (There were 3 balls of 3 different colors in a row, arranged so that I knew the first one's color). Rather than getting around the possiblity, I just guessed their color. And I got it right, something like 20 or 25 times in a row. It was weird.

Svidrigailov · 03-28-2005, 04:49 PM

Charming, dashing and witty people tend to also be lucky people. There is a passage in The Prince that says rather barbarously, but with a truthfulness that I cannot ignore, that Fortune is like a beautiful and capricious woman, who likes those who know when to seduce her and fall at her feet, but also those who know when to beat her when she gets too annoying.

Clinton and Bush illustrate this perfectly I think...while one is witty and charming, the other is a monkey. You decide which is which.

parrythis · 03-28-2005, 05:51 PM

While "luck" certainly exists, I believe that "lucky" people are more likely to have...

- Learned from their mistakes
- Learned from the mistakes of others
- Practiced the skills needed to succeed
- Planned their approach to their problems
- Developed contingency plans so when their primary plans fail, they still succeed
- Kept their eyes open for opportunities to expoit the above points

ReverseLunge · 03-28-2005, 07:04 PM

I found a link to some horrible oriental type play fighting. These guys are so off balance and are spinning around like monkeys and exposing their backs.

http://www.internationalsportschanbara.net/class.html

ReverseLunge · 03-28-2005, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maeve_Mari

I'll pipe! But I think it's a legitimate question and not a flame igniter.

I do wonder if it's an appearance or perception of luckiness or if in fact that some people are luckier than others. And if so, why do they attract the lucky aura?

How do these people live that puts them into the lucky path more often.

And, Clinton/Bush aside - who do you know in your lives that always seem lucky and do you have a theory on why?

My theory is that a lucky person is born with a certain kind of instinct. A kind of instinct to choose the things that will make life easier for them. This instinct doesn't go by logic or intelligence its just a natural ability for having good hunches. But then again I have met people who seem to be constantly lucky in a random way. Like winning jackpots playing slot machines or just by being in the right place at the right time for something totally unexpected but good.

Inquartata · 03-28-2005, 08:09 PM

My brother is lucky. The slot machine thing is just one example. Walking around Compton white on a Saturday night unmolested is another....

The Vikings preferred a ship captain with a reputation for luck above one with connections, blue blood, skill, experience or just about any other quality when seeking a ship on which to crew.

latenight · 03-29-2005, 10:30 AM

Luck is made by force of will.

JackSparrow · 03-29-2005, 10:37 AM

I agree. I think you make your own luck.

the doc · 03-29-2005, 10:45 AM

there is a professor of psychology who studies luck and what is involved in it. his name is richard wiseman and you can probably find some of his stuff of the net if you want to look for it.

from what i recall there are a few interesting conclusions, but that the phrase you make your own luck certainly holds true on a number of occasions. he shows you why.