Why the Toast Always Lands Butter Side Down: The Science of Murphy's Law - Softcover

9780143004530: Why the Toast Always Lands Butter Side Down: The Science of Murphy's Law
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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?


So: when you drop the toast how do you know it will land


butter-side down? Why does the queue you're in always go


slowest? That tune you hate - isn't it the one you can't get out


of your head? However odd it seems, there is generally a


scientific explanation. Much of Murphy's Law stems from the


way the mind works - its physical limitations, evolutionary


biases and social impressionability. In this fascinating book,


popular-science presenter Richard Robinson teases out the


answers, accessibly and entertainingly.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Book Description:
The real, scientific reasons why everything ALWAYS goes wrong
About the Author:

Richard Robinson is the author of 10 books of popular science including the Science Magic series (Oxford University Press) which was shortlisted for the Aventis Science Prize. He works full-time as a science presenter, and is regularly invited to perform demonstrations around the world at science festivals, universities and schools. He has performed at festivals ranging from the Edinburgh Science Festival to the Korean Science Festival, and lectured at universities ranging from the UK to the Ukraine. He holds a BSc in psychology.

Illustrator Kate Charlesworth has drawn regularly for New Scientist and has illustrated a wide variety of publications including The Cartoon History of Time.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • ISBN 10 0143004530
  • ISBN 13 9780143004530
  • BindingPaperback
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Book Description Softcover. Condition: Good. The real scientific reasons why everything always goes wrong.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 10 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 to three parts psychology. The world has changed a lot in the last 4000 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 every single time? Why, when you lose something, do you keep looking in the same place over and over? And why is it suddenly there the twentieth time you look? 248 pages. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilogram. Category: Science::Popular Science; Science & Technology; ISBN: 0143004530. ISBN/EAN: 9780143004530. Inventory No: 260987. Seller Inventory # 260987

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