Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Share Their 'I Just Learned This And Now I See It Everywhere' Experiences

People Share Their 'I Just Learned This And Now I See It Everywhere' Experiences

The following has nothing at all to do with Bernie Madoff, the white collar criminal.

But it has everything to do with new discoveries and they way they seem to haunt you, appearing everywhere the minute new knowledge has you taking note.


The Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon describes when something you've just seen, experienced, or learned about suddenly seems to appear everywhere you look. It's otherwise known as the "recency illusion" or "frequency illusion.

"The whole thing is really an ever-growing, vicious spiral of brain activity.

When your brain learns something knew it subconsciously decides to look for that thing, and uses selective attention to do so. Whenever that selective attention successfully finds the thing it seeks, you experience confirmation bias and irrationally conclude that the thing occurs more frequently than it ever has. Really, you've just become better at seeking it.

Nevertheless, that irrational conclusion of greater frequency serves to jazz up your brain, so you look even harder.

Aaaaand paranoia.

u/oditogre asked, "What have you been experiencing [the Baader-Meinhof Phenonemon] with, lately?"

So Much for Trend-Settin’

Giphy

This always happens to me when I buy a new coat or when I bought my car. All of a sudden I'm noticing them everywhere.

u/redpatchedsox

Impressive to Pull Out at Parties, Though

I could swear I've read the word 'Liverpudlian' (somebody / thing from Liverpool) like 6 times this weekend and never before then.

u/oditogre

It's About Time, Friend

Giphy

I watched the Princess Bride for the first time recently. I'm now seeing references to it everywhere.

It Does Not Mean What it Says it Means

The word "gaslighting." I learned what it meant couple of weeks back and the amount of times I see that word everyday is insane.

u/ww3000

Gahhhh Inception

I literally explained what this phenomenon was to my husband when I was experiencing it yesterday. And then I said that I'd probably start hearing about the phenomenon itself.

And......here it is.

u/Miles2GoBefore1Sleep

Too Many Babies, Not Enough Earth!

Giphy

Pregnant women. I'm pregnant and now everyone is pregnant.

u/sprkleyes420

It is Real. It is Doing Stuff. 

Connecticut. One day i was in the car and i was like "why don't i ever hear any new stories that mention Connecticut? I'm pretty sure it's made up."

I even googled Connecticut just to make sure it is a state. Now i see Connecticut everywhere in the news.

u/lilhorso

Not Baader-Meinhof. Just Excellent, Relevant Children's Programming.

Man, in grade school I used to constantly learn about a new subject only to go home and have the exact same subject come up in a Magic School Bus episode.

u/Wanderson90

"Where's My New Jersey Plates Log!"

Giphy

My wife has started noticing that the letter L is the fourth position on an NJ license plate. I have no idea what to make of this.

u/malex930

One Single Time Would've Sucked. Several is the Pits. 

I keep seeing and hearing about a two-headed goose.

Saw a little statue at the store, heard a random story from someone at the next table over, saw one in a book, etc.. there have been about 6 encounters so far.

u/bingbong1234

More from People

Chris Martin from Coldplay
Dave Simpson/WireImage/Getty Images

Chris Martin Divides Fans After Thanking India Concertgoers For 'Forgiving' British Colonialism

It's always important to remember our history, take responsibility for our ancestors' actions, and try our best to improve. But there's a time and a place for discussing historical events and conflicts.

As fans of Coldplay pointed out, bringing up intense political conflict during a concert might not be the best choice.

Keep ReadingShow less
Adrien Brody & Felicity Jones
A24

'The Brutalist' Director Speaks Out To Defend Film's Use Of AI After Igniting Backlash

Another day, another industry grappling with the use of AI.

Director Brady Corbet had to clarify and defend his film's artistic choices to use AI in his low-budget, high-profile movie about a Hungarian architect in post-war America.

Keep ReadingShow less
Carrie Underwood singing at President Donald Trump's inauguration
Julia Demaree Nikhinson - Pool/Getty Images

Carrie Underwood Reportedly Had A 'Hissy Fit' After Her Glitchy Inauguration Performance

Country singer Carrie Underwood's rendition of "America the Beautiful" inside the Capitol rotunda after Republican President Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday hit a technical snag when she was forced to sing a cappella.

The American Idol alum managed to do what any other trained, professional singer would under the circumstances and expertly sang live without the expected backing music track.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Anderson Cooper and Michael Fanone
CNN

Capitol Officer Slams Trump For Pardoning Jan. 6 Rioters: 'I Have Been Betrayed By My Country'

Michael Fanone—who worked for the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia for 20 years until he sustained serious and life-threatening injuries when he was brutally attacked by President Donald Trump's supporters during the January 6 insurrection—spoke out on CNN after Trump issued a mass pardon of all the insurrectionists on his first day in office.

Fanone's name has become synonymous with the many police officers who suffered horrific and unprecedented trauma as they attempted to restore order and protect the seat of the nation's government on January 6, 2021.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot from @kclmft's TikTok video; Donald Trump
@kclmft/TikTok; Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

TikToker Calls Out Subtly Racist Message After Spanish Version Of White House Website Disappears

The moment Republican President Donald Trump was sworn in during Monday's inauguration, the twice-impeached former president became the first convicted felon to become Commander-in-Chief—and for a second term, no less.

Trump didn't waste time making good on his campaign promises by signing off on executive orders and revamping the White House website, the latter of which featured a hype video on the home page and the deletion of a Spanish language version of the site.

Keep ReadingShow less