Good article. In particular the observation near the end: "A Barnum statement is a strategically vague description that says little of substance, but is written

Good article. In particular the observation near the end: "A Barnum statement is a strategically vague description that says little of substance, but is written with just the right amount of ambiguity, so that people can read into it and conclude that it describes them beautifully." It's an amazing effect (I'm glad I now know the name for it). My horoscope sign is Libra and for much of my early adolescence I tried to convince myself I was a good Libran - but I'm not. In fact I'm much more like my Chinese horoscope sign: a Wood Dragon - the best type of dragon, of course! Even my MBTI personality (ITNJ) is a better fit, even if that's just because it appeals to my vanity. The best personality prediction I've ever read wasn't even a prediction. It was an article about people who live with Prosopagnosia (face blindness) which described my approach to, and problems with, social situations in exact, accurate and painful detail. Science wins out in the end! Talking about Barnum statements, I once built out a whole astrology/prediction system thing which I used to promote sales of my SF novel (it didn't work, which I didn't see coming). But it was very enjoyable work and surprisingly easy to do once I got my head around how to say things in a way people might find attractive - and the little website I made for it is still up-and-running! http://vreskiwards.rikweb.org.uk/ http://vreskiwards.rikweb.org.uk/