Setting: A tea stall near a college campus in India. Two friends, Arjun (the rational one) and Ramesh (the superstitious one), are sipping chai and eating samosas.
Ramesh: (grinning)
Arjun, tomorrow is the big day! My startup’s website goes live. So first thing in the morning, I’m going to the temple to break a coconut for good luck.
Arjun: (chuckling)
You and your coconuts, man. Why not just launch it? Your website needs SEO, not divine intervention.
Ramesh: (mock serious)
Arjun, don’t mock the coconut, okay? It’s tradition. Breaking a coconut removes obstacles. Even Mukesh Ambani does it before inaugurating a project.
Arjun: (raising an eyebrow)
Sure, and Ambani also hires the best engineers, analysts, and lawyers. I’m pretty sure it’s those guys, not the coconuts, who keep his billions safe.
Ramesh: (leaning forward)
But think about it! Even our ancestors believed it. You break a coconut, the tough shell represents your ego, and when you smash it, you surrender to the higher power. Pure intention! Fresh beginnings!
Arjun: (smiling)
It’s a beautiful metaphor, Ramesh. I’ll give you that. But metaphors aren’t magic spells. Imagine if I stood in front of my laptop tomorrow, broke a coconut over it, and expected my stock prices to soar. I’d just need a new laptop.
Ramesh: (laughs)
Okay, don’t break it on the laptop, obviously! But look — even last month, when I broke a coconut before my exam, I cleared it! First attempt!
Arjun: (grinning)
And what about the year before that? Remember you broke three coconuts before the physics exam… and still flunked?
Ramesh: (blushing)
That was… different. Maybe the coconuts weren’t fresh.
Arjun: (laughing)
Exactly! Selective memory, my friend. You remember the times when it worked and conveniently forget when it didn’t. It’s called confirmation bias. It’s a human thing, not a divine message.
Ramesh: (defensive but smiling)
But isn’t there some benefit? Even psychological? I feel more confident after doing it.
Arjun: (nodding thoughtfully)
That I agree with. Rituals give comfort. It’s like a mental reset button. But the coconut isn’t causing the good result — your preparation and confidence are. If smashing a coconut gives you focus, go for it — just know why it’s helping.
Ramesh: (thinking)
So you’re saying… coconut breaking is like… mental chai?
Arjun: (laughing)
Exactly! Like chai. Makes you feel good, energized — but chai doesn’t pass your exam or run your business. You still have to do the work.
Ramesh: (pretending to wipe a tear)
You’re ruining centuries of tradition with your cruel logic, Arjun.
Arjun: (grinning and patting Ramesh’s shoulder)
Nah, I’m just suggesting… break the coconut if it makes you happy. But also backup your website, okay? Divine blessings are great, but a cloud backup is safer.
Ramesh: (laughing and raising his chai cup)
Deal! Tomorrow morning — coconut first, then backup.
Arjun: (raising his cup)
Now that’s a winning strategy.
Science Vs Superstition 
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