Superstition Challenge (2004 and 2005)
The
Superstition Challenge was an interactive exhibition
created by Mario Di Maggio based on the Superstition
Bash by the Committee
for Skeptical Inquiry
(CSI).
The exhibition was first held at Glasgow Science Centre from Friday 13th-17th February 2004, and repeated Friday 13th-15th August 2004. It also ran at Thinktank Science Museum from Friday 13th-15th May 2005.
At both venues the Superstition Challenge proved extremely popular and resulted in the biggest media event for the science centre and museum, second only to their opening.
The exhibition challenged visitors to boldly ignore deeply held superstitions about bad luck. It encouraged participants to walk under a ladder, smash a mirror, open an umbrella indoors, step on a pavement crack, etc.
The exhibition was first held at Glasgow Science Centre from Friday 13th-17th February 2004, and repeated Friday 13th-15th August 2004. It also ran at Thinktank Science Museum from Friday 13th-15th May 2005.
At both venues the Superstition Challenge proved extremely popular and resulted in the biggest media event for the science centre and museum, second only to their opening.
The exhibition challenged visitors to boldly ignore deeply held superstitions about bad luck. It encouraged participants to walk under a ladder, smash a mirror, open an umbrella indoors, step on a pavement crack, etc.
Accompanying
the interactive exhibition was a planetarium show explaining
how astrology differs from astronomy; and a live science
show about luck, scepticism and rational thinking. The
coffee shop even served 'misfortune' cookies.
Below
are the in-house publicity posters from the two venues, with
more detailed information available here:
Below
is a post I submitted to various mailing lists after the
first Superstition Challenge in February 2004; which
prompted a number of science centres and museums around the
world to run their own event in August 2004.
Superstition - Science Fact or Fiction?
Glasgow Science Centre
Fri 13th - 17th February 2004
I've always wanted to do this. I first heard of such a 'Superstition Bash' in 1997, put on by CSICOP (Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal) in the USA. The idea has caught on with similar groups around the world - not only because it's an entertaining way of poking fun at superstitions, but also because it provides the media with a great story for Friday 13th!
Happily, that's exactly what happened in Scotland over the February mid-term schools break. Our superstition event received extensive coverage on national morning television, Scottish TV news, BBC Radio Scotland and Clyde 1, as well as several newspapers. My marketing colleagues have described it as the largest media event for us second only to the science centre's opening three years ago. What's more, we're apparently the first science centre in the world to host such an event.
Photos of the event are available here: http://superstition.dimaggio.org
I'm just delighted to have promoted sceptical thinking (something sorely needed today) with thousands of our visitors over five busy days. We tried to accomplish this in six ways:
(a) Superstition Challenge - a trail consisting of 13 superstitions that supposedly bring bad luck if disregarded. Visitors were encouraged to deliberately ignore them or do the exact opposite (eg. smash a small mirror; walk under a ladder; mix red & white flowers; ignore a single magpie; open an umbrella, etc). They received a certificate to celebrate their courage, and were asked to leave feedback.
(b) "Do You Feel Lucky?" science show - an entertaining live performance dealing with Dr Richard Wiseman's four principles of luck. Activities included a member of the audience winning a £5 coin; a powerful 'psychic' feat demonstrated (and revealed to be a trick, without the explanation); a large mirror smashed with a sledgehammer; and a mass umbrella opening - all in an attempt to invoke copious 'bad luck'.
(c) "What's Your Sign?" - live planetarium show about astrology. How did astrology originate? How accurate is the concept after 3500 years? What will happen to astrology when we colonise other planets? Included is a fun astrology horoscope with 13 signs.
(d) Fascinating Facts (taken from Richard Wiseman's research) - for visitors to read while queuing at the ticket desk eg. did you know that Scotland is the most superstitious country in Britain (46% of the population) - compared with England (42%), Wales (41%) and Northern Ireland (40%)?
(e) "Mystery Investigators" handout (www.mysteryinvestigators.com) - available throughout, and included articles about "13"; the Loch Ness Monster; astrology; as well as an Origami star activity.
(f) Coffee & 'misfortune' cookie special - in our restaurant, with biscuits in the shape of number 13.
Over the five days the science centre received approximately 1200 visitors per day – and at least 60% attempted the Superstition Challenge (unfortunately we only had 540 small mirrors for smashing, and had to limit these to one per family). In total around 500 people attended the science show and about 200 the planetarium show.
We ended up enjoying the greatest success with this event, even though we tried to call down all the bad luck in the world! I believe this topic is popular because it is a very human story, all about our deepest fears and private thoughts. The reactions of visitors were fascinating to watch - some thought we were totally mad, while others were delighted to publicly demonstrate their disregard for superstitions. We saw more than one spat between disagreeing partners! And it was something refreshingly different for our staff, who particularly enjoyed the media attention, on-the-spot radio interviews, etc
It works, and we're definitely going to run it again (in fact, we've already started stockpiling old mirrors).
Why don't you try it?
Please contact me if you're interested, and I'll share with you all the information I can. The next Friday 13th is in August 2004.
Mario Di Maggio
Staff Scientist: Planetarium
Glasgow Science Centre
The
success of the Superstition Challenge encouraged
science centres around the world to host similar events
