Why does tragedy seem to happen in three's?

Question

if there is one plane crash, there are usually a few more to happen soon after.
If a famous person dies, 2 more famous people die soon after.
Shark attacks seem to happen a few in a row too.
Does anyone have any ideas why? Or do you think that this is not even true...
Have you ever experienced this three time thing?

Hey, I recieved exactly 33 answers. I thought that was kinda cool, thanks everybody..

Answer 1

I understand this completely. I experienced this in an awful way back in 2002. I finally had my life on track, and it got taken away on May 29th, when I received a call from my grandmother saying my 24 year old brother had shot himself and was dead. I had to be the one to tell my Mom, and that alone almost destroyed me. We drove to Texas for the funeral, and after we got back home, on June 6th, I had a horrific car accident, and it's only by the grace of God that I'm alive today. And then, on August 14th, my 27 year old cousin (and my brother's best friend) went into a coma and died. So the three thing is definitely real; and it's horrible to experience and I hope no one else has to ever go through something like that. I still have a hard time dealing with it!

Answer 2

It is the media or perhaps you are not watching enough news. Tragedy's happen all the time. More than in threes. It's so depressing, why are you counting? People do say bad things happen in threes. But that mostly pertains to one's self. Like if you get up can't start you car, miss the bus and then get fired. That is 3 things. It can't get much worse after that. It is supposed to be a comfort so if you have had three things bad happen to you in a day or a week, you won't get anymore for a while. It is just a legion, not really true. They say everyone sneezes in threes, I don't. Just once, sometimes twice. It's a record if I make it to three. Have a great day!

PS. You should count the good things, it will make your day a whole lot brighter!

Answer 3

I have experienced this three time thing, but I think it's just our imagination. When I hear something really terrible, it sticks in my mind, then when I hear more things, I look for the three tragedy thing. Sometimes it's a stretch. People will include any other two things to prove their point.

Answer 4

It's an old wive's tale. When one bad thing happens people just start waiting for two more. When the third happens they decide that that's the three. If another one happens they start counting from one again.

There is no logic or evidence behind it. Otherwise travel insurance would go up after two plane crashes until there was a third.

Answer 5

That is the sadest thing i have ever heard. How could the mother let that happen to her daughter, she is still a child! It makes me so mad!!! But it is fuked that he was only sent to prison for 1 year! What sort of justice is that? Also i know that the girl is young but she should have been given the choice of whether or not she gets to keep her child! I cant believe they took baby away from her with out asking what she wanted. She has been through enough and now she has to deal with the fact she can only see her baby 2 times a week!

Answer 6

Maybe the foul-up fairy can only count to three?

Seriously I think it is a coincidence. When something bad happens you tend to notice it more if it happens again right away. I am sure the odds are good it happens in two's more.

Answer 7

You are correct 100%

Aren't you glad the number isn't 10

Answer 8

I don't know .... I usually get a cold and then I get 2 more after that, then, go like a year w/o a cold

Answer 9

it does seem to do that....i agree with Import Beer Man....glad it's 3 and not 10 !!!

hey...i went fishing on Saturday....caught 3 flounder !!!

:+)

Answer 10

It's got to be FATE