Stuff To Blow Your Mind From the Vault: Odds and Evens, Part 1
Sep 6, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of odd and even numbers! Discover how these concepts shape our perceptions, influence art, and affect decision-making. Explore psychological biases, such as our preference for even numbers, and how they play a role in consumer behavior. Learn about visual composition in art and film, including the rule of thirds, and its emotional impact on audiences. Plus, enjoy quirky discussions on chicken fingers and listener interactions that keep the conversation lively!
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Parity Is A Primary Number Feature
- Parity (odd vs even) is a high-salience characteristic people use when thinking about numbers.
- Studies show people often group numbers by odd/even and prefer even numbers emotionally.
The Beatles' 'Number Nine' Loop
- John Lennon used a random EMI test tape loop saying "number nine" in Revolution 9.
- The repeated "number nine" gives the track an uncanny, incantatory mood that feels different than other numbers would.
People Prefer Even And Divisible Numbers
- Experiments find people generally prefer even numbers and those divisible by five.
- These preferences can affect consumer choices and product naming.
