What's a traditional / archaic concept that actually happens to be right, just not for the reason originally thought?

posted 16 days ago

Apytele@sh.itjust.works

I’ve been looking into feng shui lately, specifically the concepts about what makes a person feel more safe or at ease in a space, such as relaxing or sleeping facing the entrance / exit.

While reading, I came across the guidance that you should always shut your toilet seat to prevent your good fortune from being flushed. The real reason you should keep it shut is so it can’t mist shit-water all over your toothbrush every time you flush. Also so your pets don’t drink out of it.

What other things did humans throughout history accidentally get right?

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solrize@lemmy.world

28 points

16 days ago

Black holes. Predicted in the 1700s using Newtonian gravity. The event horizon diameter even turned it to be right (ie. matches the one predicted by general relativity).

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GamingChairModel@lemmy.world

2 points

15 days ago

Fun coincidence from Newton’s not quite right theory of gravity combined with his not quite right particle theory of light.

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