The science of ‘weird shit’: why we believe in fate, ghosts and conspiracy theories

Psychologist Chris French has spent decades studying paranormal
claims and mysterious experiences, from seemingly-impossible
coincidences to paintings that purportedly predict the future. Ian
Sample sits down with French to explore why so many of us end up
believing in, what he terms, ‘weird shit’, and what we can learn
from understanding why we’re drawn to mysterious and mystic
phenomena. Help support our independent journalism at
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