EMAIL RECEIVED FROM A STRANGER ON 2026 NOV 7 ABOUT MY "FRIDAY THE 13th" RESEARCH:



Dear Professor Rosenthal,

Yesterday, I was informed that the only available opening for my surgery was November 13, as the patient originally scheduled for that date had called to postpone hers. I accepted the date without giving it much thought. It was only half an hour ago that it suddenly dawned on me that November 13 is also a Friday! And so, a perfectly ordinary scheduling decision has turned into a rather unexpected Friday the 13th dilemma.

Naturally, I turned to ChatGPT to bring me up to speed on the origins of this peculiar superstition, and in the process, I was introduced to your September 3 University of Toronto study examining whether Friday the 13th is actually associated with misfortune. Your findings were reassuring, and I was particularly amused to learn that you yourself were born on Friday the 13th and have nevertheless described yourself as a very fortunate person. I must say, I am beginning to feel considerably less apprehensive about my own November 13 appointment!

I thought you might appreciate hearing how your research has unexpectedly found its way into the thoughts of a fellow Torontonian preparing for surgery.