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Lunchtime Trivia Friday, January 30

Lunchtime Trivia Friday, January 30
Dave Creelman
Jan 30, 2026 | 12:00 PM

Trivia Question

Q: Many swear that this now happens to them regularly sometimes a couple times a day. 20 years ago it never happened.  What is it?
A: Products or things we were thinking or talking about appear on our devices.

 Why It Feels Like Your Phone Reads Your Mind

Behavioral Prediction (Not Mind Reading): Algorithms analyze your location, browsing history, purchase history, search queries, and even how long you pause on a post. They use this data to build a profile and predict what you might want before you even search for it.

Frequency Illusion (Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon): This cognitive bias occurs when you notice a specific product or idea once, and your brain starts focusing on it, making it seem like you are seeing it everywhere.

Cross-Device Tracking: Your phone, computer, and smart devices often share data. If you browse for something on a laptop, you will likely see it on your phone later, making it feel like a "thought-to-ad" moment.

Data Sharing: Social media platforms use cookies and third-party data to track your behavior across the web, consolidating your interests.