Numerophobia
In the wake of last weeks tsunami the threads today are all abuzz with numbers. One post seemed hung on the number 558 Numerophobia is the fear of or fascination with numbers.
Also called Arithmophobia people can be literally paralyzed by it. It takes many forms
- Triskaidekaphobia...fear of the number 13
- Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia (love to have that one in a spelling bee)...fear of the number 666
- Tetraphobia...fear of the number 4.
Numbers have been significant in our existence since evolved man put 1 and 1 and 2 and 2 together. They are used for everything we can think of.
One of the first things addressed in preschool, numbers are used to identify, grade, sort and rank with varying criteria. As we move on to advanced concepts we trust our finances to them. They are the lifeblood of information technology and the computer industry! Ask any server operator how critical they are.
They are used to determine our very survival. Ask any control; tower and pilot in the airline industry. Ask any doctor or medical specialist how they can determine your fate literally in a heartbeat.
Recent general statistics of interest
Today I see such things in the threads as "Why did my rank drop from 1,000 to 1500"? "I have a QSR of 40 what does that mean"?
Obsession with numbers is central to our everyday forum. This can be stress producing.
The answer for us is, while numbers are important. Get rid of the over obsession!
Concentrate on the antipasto of ideas that enliven content as a main direction to get over the mess of numerical spaghetti. Getting over our fears is a great step in liberating our astounding community. Let's do it!
Recent Comments
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I'd just like to meet the person that came up with the name for the of fear the number 666. I'm almost sure they used more than their fair share of the alphabet.
The railroad I worked for had a locomotive with that number. We called it Satan's locomotive and it did seem to spend more time in the shop than others. I thought it was just suffering from a case of shop separation anxiety, a common malady among GE locomotives. :-)
I must admit I do have a fear of the number zero though especially with regard to bank accounts, traffic, and fishing limits. I'm funny like that.
That's fascinating Mike! I had never heard of that! Excellent job with the charts. Onward!
Peace,
Renet
I thought this had something to do with math phobia, which I have had since 4th grade. Please, someone, start a niche to help me with this!
This was interesting, Mike. No, I do not suffer from any fear of those particular numbers, thankfully. I know some who do.
I am not so concerned about my ranking, just want to keep up with everyone, impossible, but more important to get back to my website.
Lynne
Great! to hear from you Lynne. BTW how do you come up with Apples of Gold? Aways was curious. I thought it might refer to golden delicious grown in the upper Columbia around Wenatchee, WA!
Yes, golden apples from Washington State are delicious!
My choice of user name has to do with the use of choice words. If our our words are well spoken, they will be as "apples of gold in pictures of silver"
Proverbs 25:11-13King James Version (KJV)
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
It all started with a PO Box we opened for a fund raiser. My husband had tole painted apples on our blue pine kitchen cabinets. We named the PO Box, Apple House.
When I entered my 'Golden Years', I began to think of Apples of Gold. When joining WA, I hoped that my content would be 'fitting' words about alternative health measures, with all of the scams addressed and reviews of products that do add to good health in a less invasive manner than drugs and surgery, where possible.
I wish the user name would convey the intent to use the voice of experience as well as wisdom. Wisdom is still on it's way, hopefully growing by leaps and bounds! WA certainly increases my chances!
Enjoy the holiday Mike!
Lynne
Beautiful word imagery right there Lynn. Gold and silver together suggest great attributes! Thank you for your response and reference to words!
I love the study of numbers. I find the timing of your post particularly interesting for me. Numerology, used to help people know themselves better, is an interest of mine. Lately, I've been thinking it could be a good niche for a website. Maybe this was a "sign"! Thanks! Debbie
I suffer from this affliction (Numerophobia), especially when I run out of fingers to count on....although, I ain't "Skeered" of 13, 666, 4 or what my number is here at WA..
I got your number though Mike! ;-) (haa...had to say that-for fun)
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As crazy as that is ....I think there might even be a scaredaphobia phobia... that's the fear of all phobias.....ok not really, but it sounded relevant while we were on the subject of obsessing to much about stuff.
How deeply can you take fear!
Thanks Carson.... :))))