DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | A Tale of the 'Evans, v. 2, issue 2, Spring 1944

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A Tale of the 'Evans, v. 2, issue 2, Spring 1944

Page 5

page 5.

HUNCHES!?

My Psychology professor often stated that the use of the word "Hunch" was incorrect, as there was no such animal. By its very meaning, as generally used, it was unsound and impossible. Now the man knows a lot more than I do, I'll cheerfully admit, but that was one of his statements that I questioned to some extent.

It was some of the occurrences during the recent poker game at the Umptyeenth Slan-Shackon that got me to cogitating on this curious phenomena at this time. For I am one of those guys who DO get what we slangily call "hunches". Not all the time -- wish I did -- but quite often. And I have never known of a time when my hunch, if followed correctly, did not "pan out". There are a lot of times that is seemed to all logical reasoning that what my hunch sais to do was ridiculous and impossible of fulfillment, and so I let my so-called brain rule me, rather than my hunches. And the impossible comes up, and I cuss because I didn't follow the hunch --- and lost the pot. Like failing to discard three of a kind to hold two cards that would have made me a straight flush.

Several times, while playing Black Jack, under the rules of "Dealer's Choice", I would get 17 or 18, and sit there a moment in silence while I waited to see if "Aunt Minnie" (my pet name for my hunch), would tell me what to do. If she said "Take another", I'd do do, and get the 4 or 3 I needed to make my 21. If I had 14 or 15 and the hunch said "Let 'er ride", and I'd take a chance, I would invariably draw a high card, and bust.

I've come up the steps of the house at night, coming from work, and would get a hunch that a certain person (not expected) would be there. Or that I'd have a letter (equally not expected) from some certain person. And they would be there.

Now this is not enough data to deny the allegations of my Professor. But it certainly is enough to make a fellow wonder if this "hunch" business may not have something behind it, after all. Can this be "prescience"? Can it be "envisioning the future"? Can it be just a lot of baloney? Is it coincidence? Is it an instantaneous sub-conscious evaluation of all the available data? I don't know.

It would be interesting to have the comments of some of our F.A.P.A. thinkers on the matter. And some of the experiences of some of you folks. Do you have hunches also? Do you play them? Do you have idea of the percentage of times they come true? Perhaps we could get enough data to, at least, may a hypothesis that would serve as the basis for some good, logical arguments for or against the proposition. I will welcome, and be very grateful for, comments either through the mail or the next mailing.

Have "Hunches" any sound psychological basis? Is there a scientific law behind them? Have they a definite, logical and scientific place in the scheme of things as they are?

I've got a "hunch" that they have!

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page 5. HUNCHES!? My Psychology professor often stated that the use of the word "Hunch" was incorrect, as there was no such animal. By its very meaning, as generally used, it was unsound and impossible. Now the man knows a lot more than I do, I'll cheerfully admit, but that was one of his statements that I questioned to some extent. It was some of the occurrences during the recent poker game at the Umptyeenth Slan-Shackon that got me to cogitating on this curious phenomena at this time. For I am one of those guys who DO get what we slangily call "hunches". Not all the time -- wish I did -- but quite often. And I have never known of a time when my hunch, if followed correctly, did not "pan out". There are a lot of times that is seemed to all logical reasoning that what my hunch sais to do was ridiculous and impossible of fulfillment, and so I let my so-called brain rule me, rather than my hunches. And the impossible comes up, and I cuss because I didn't follow the hunch --- and lost the pot. Like failing to discard three of a kind to hold two cards that would have made me a straight flush. Several times, while playing Black Jack, under the rules of "Dealer's Choice", I would get 17 or 18, and sit there a moment in silence while I waited to see if "Aunt Minnie" (my pet name for my hunch), would tell me what to do. If she said "Take another", I'd do do, and get the 4 or 3 I needed to make my 21. If I had 14 or 15 and the hunch said "Let 'er ride", and I'd take a chance, I would invariably draw a high card, and bust. I've come up the steps of the house at night, coming from work, and would get a hunch that a certain person (not expected) would be there. Or that I'd have a letter (equally not expected) from some certain person. And they would be there. Now this is not enough data to deny the allegations of my Professor. But it certainly is enough to make a fellow wonder if this "hunch" business may not have something behind it, after all. Can this be "prescience"? Can it be "envisioning the future"? Can it be just a lot of baloney? Is it coincidence? Is it an instantaneous sub-conscious evaluation of all the available data? I don't know. It would be interesting to have the comments of some of our F.A.P.A. thinkers on the matter. And some of the experiences of some of you folks. Do you have hunches also? Do you play them? Do you have idea of the percentage of times they come true? Perhaps we could get enough data to, at least, may a hypothesis that would serve as the basis for some good, logical arguments for or against the proposition. I will welcome, and be very grateful for, comments either through the mail or the next mailing. Have "Hunches" any sound psychological basis? Is there a scientific law behind them? Have they a definite, logical and scientific place in the scheme of things as they are? I've got a "hunch" that they have!