Cambridge Coincidences Collection

As of the 23rd May 2022 this website is archived and will receive no further updates.

understandinguncertainty.org was produced by the Winton programme for the public understanding of risk based in the Statistical Laboratory in the University of Cambridge. The aim was to help improve the way that uncertainty and risk are discussed in society, and show how probability and statistics can be both useful and entertaining.

Many of the animations were produced using Flash and will no longer work.

Well I Never!

Professor David Spiegelhalter of Cambridge University wants to know about your coincidences!

COLLEGE ROOMMATE HAS THE SAME BIRTHDAY

my college roommate has the exact same birthday as me and year.

Unexpected Money Postal & Found on the street

In the last 6 weeks, stranger's credit cards and a cheque have unexpectedly been posted to my apartment and also, found in the public streets. Here is the breakdown: 2x On my daily walks, I found someone's credit cards on 2 separate occasions and I've tried to notify them on LinkedIn ( Both strangers kindly declined because they already canceled their credit cards ) 1x my neighbor's cheque was sent to me. I kindly returned it :) 1x credit card directly to my apartment In addition, I keep finding $2 coins on my daily walk. What is the meaning of all this coincidence in a short time frame? I live in Vancouver BC, Canada. I think the obvious is to spend it and yet, I sense consequences. I've attempted to return it and nothing has happened in my life by returning it. I'm left with other alternatives and unsure of what to do... I'm open to hearing your suggestions. I kindly wait for your response and hope you're doing well during chaotic times. Kind regards, Fortunate Financier of Fate

Moved in with my clone

I moved abroad for a study exchange. I was assigned a room in a shared flat. Upon arriving, I discovered that there was a huge amount of mould growing underneath the linoleum floors– clearly visible but impossible to remove. I asked to change flats and moved into another one the next day. When I met my new flatmate for the first time, we were both in shock: our features were disturbingly similar. We had the same hair colour, hairstyle and eye colour; very similar facial features, facial expressions, body language, and laugh. It turned out that neither of us spoke the local language, but we both spoke French. We proceeded to discuss (in French) how strange this resemblance was, and reassured each other that surely there were many differences between us we had yet to find out about. To change the subject, I mentioned that I had visited Scotland recently. She replied that she had, too. We then turned to relationships, and my flatmate told me she had ended things with her girlfriend in her home country the month before. So had I. Later we went to pick up some used furniture, and got asked if we were sisters by two different people.

Random phone number was the right one

Deadlines are always hairy in the newspaper business. In an extreme rush, I reached for the phone book to look up a source as Chuck was hurrying by. Kidding, I asked, "Chuck, what's the number I'm looking for?" Chances are he would guess one of the three local exchanges - 372, 373 or 375 - and he blurted out 7 digits as he rushed by. About 10 seconds later I found the number I was looking for in the book and it was exactly - exactly - the number Chuck threw out there. I never even told him who I was trying to call.

My hometown detailed in foreign diary

I bought a 1930's German diary from the Ephemera section on Ebay. Struggling with the language, and to read the handwriting, i was astonished to come across the word 'Bradford' (where I live). I thought I must have misread it, but soon found many references to placenames nearby me. It turned out that the diarist had visited here many times. From Carol

Mom and aunt passed on the Exact same day - different year

My mom passed June 12,2015 and her sister passed June 12,2020. Out of 365 days in a year, is it just a coincidence that they both passed on the same exact day?!

Family coincidences

My parents were both the same age. High school sweethearts. Both had rheumatic fever when they were children. Both parents had heart valve replacement surgeries. Both parents went blind in their right eye. (Moms was from a blood clot, dads was from an explosion) both parents had the same auto immune disorder, both parents had a parent that was a twin, my mothers grandmother was born on December 6... and two of my parents grandchildren were born on that same day. My father was born on December 5th. His mother died the same day that her father died, many years later. My mother’s paternal grandmother And my mothers maternal grandmother died on the same day, same year. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. And my mother and I were born on the same day.

Glowing Lights

I was doing so online browsing - "window shopping" - when I came across car accessories. These accessories were LED lights that you can put on the valve stem (where you air up the tires). When the tires spin the LED lights flow. This was the first time in my life I heard of these little lights that can go on your tire. So naturally I told my dad and friends that I thought they were super cool and I wanted them. The very next day my brother, dad, and I were driving home on the expressway when a car passes us with those lights on the tires. I couldn't believe. From not knowing about the lights, to discovering them on the internet, telling my family about them, and then seeing them the very next day. Crazy. I never saw them on any other car in my life and I see them the very next day I first learn about them.

highschool crush

1979 Edmonton. Crush fierce on Lori. She invited me to a house party so of course I am going. I rang the front door bell and introduced myself to Lori's parents and younger sister who was keen to know what was going on. Then went downstairs to the party. At the party Lori made it clear to all that she and Darren were going out. Damn! I moved to Calgary the next year. 6 years later I move to the west coast for Uni. I am there for 4 years and am working a summer job at a shitty mall restaurant before my final year. A family comes in, I knew I knew them but couldn't figure out where I knew them from. After they paid they were getting up to leave and I had to know how I knew them. "I'm sorry, but I'm sure I know you people...." Younger daughter yells "See? I told you that was him!" brief catch up, Lori was moving into town to go to Uni. "Well maybe we'll see each other around campus." When I got home there was a message from my fiancé saying she was over at her best friend's place getting the flat ready for the new roommate to move in, come on over and help. My fiance's besties' new roomy? Yup Lori.

Chance encounters

Recently I met up with a guy from a dating app. We've crossed paths, online, over the last few years. I don't remember exactly when, but at least 5 years ago must've been the first time. I don't think we spoke, or if we did it was brief. We were working in the same area, but never crossed paths. I was on a casual contractor basis, and on one day I was asked to work at a site, which happened to be the one day that week that he visited that site. I remember recognising him. While the chances of that happening were small, it was still in the realm of possibility. Over the last few years, we've interacted online (not dating sites) without realising it; we've lived in the same areas and never crossed paths.... We now live and work in completely different areas. We have no mutual friendships... but, randomly, this week he is away with two friends who have distinctive names. Last night I filled in for a basketball team that my brother plays with. One of the team members said that next week two other players would be back. It was the friends' names. That in itself is a coincidence. If it is the same people then I don't know what to say.

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