The Great Magnet
The Great Magnet is an informal philisophical, psychological, and literary concept. GeneRally speaking, the "Great Magnet" is a metaphor which attributes coincidences to a scientific basis, as opposed to a religious one. Though similar to the concept of synchronicity, the concept of the Great Magnet differs by inferring at least some causality in the thoughts of the person and the events that are occurring.
Modern usage
In recent years, the concept has seen frequent popular use by comedian Adam Carolla, in television, talk radio shows, and podcasts. Carolla uses the concept to illustrate that once a person starts to think AbOUT a given subject, they will be more likely to notice further occurrences of the subject than if they were not already conscious of it. Carolla, an atheist, uses the term to describe coincidences that theistic people tend to attribute to religious forces (such as divine intervention.) As used by Carolla, the concept of the Great Magnet provides a NATURAL scientific basis for seemingly unnatural occurrences, while also satirizing those who would attribute such occurrences to a higher power.
Carolla gained some support on the concept from radio partner Drew Pinsky when the two co-hosted Loveline, a syndicated radio talk show. Pinsky, a certified physician who specializes in treating addiction, has hosted many television and radio shows which apply formal social and psychological concepts. On Loveline, Pinsky suggested confirmation bias as one psychological phenomenon Carolla May Be basing his experiences on.
Early usage
The term predates Carolla's use. It appears in dialogue in the 1998 film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (film), which is based on the partially autobiographical 1971 book by Hunter S. Thompson. In the film, protagonist Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) states in voice-over, "All energy flows according to the whims of the Great Magnet". (The Criterion Collection DVD, chapter 13.)
See also
- Cognitive bias
- Divine Providence
- Coincidence
- Subconscious mind
- Magical thinking
- Religious satire
- Flying Spaghetti Monster, a fictional concept parodying religion