Knock on Wood

We consider ourselves rational, modern people. Yet, we wear "e;lucky socks"e; to job interviews, avoid the number 13, and say "e;bless you"e; when someone sneezes. Anthropologist Sarah Jennings explores the persistence of irrational beliefs in "e;Knock on Wood."e;Jennings argues that superstition is not a sign of ignorance, but a psychological coping mechanism for uncertainty. When we lack control...