Superstition’s DIY Religions

Superstition evolved after superstition worked
Just often enough, the reproductive benefits
To superstitious lineages outweighed the costs.
Physiologically prone to superstition—
Like most animals, frankly—you have to consciously
Convince yourself not to bob your head, tap your fingers,
To prove to yourself you’re not one of Skinner’s pigeons.
It’s entirely possible the fitness math has tipped,
And these days the less superstitious have fitter kids,
But, from local behaviors, you see no signs of this.
The more the rapidly changing world overwhelms folks
With jittery randomness trolling their helplessness,
The greater the urge to twitch, to pick up private myths.