Originally posted by magilla666:

A few years back, I helped run a research program for "advanced" students at my college. One of the students was measuring bacterial growth over time. When she showed me her data, the final observation was missing. I asked about it and she replied, "Oh, I didn't take that observation because I knew what it would be."

After reading through your OP and your corresponding responses, I understand what you were trying to get at here. Some members are a bit defensive, because your post might come off as being critical nonsense, BUT I digress. I think you're just curious to see if there is some correlation between what you experienced, with what might be a reality. Thus want to see if other people get that experience as well. ♥

Alas, I haven't had such an experience consistently. When I was only able to build rafts, I was chased down by sea serpents when I had no ore in me, and the wind changed drastically regardless. When I finally was able to build karves, sea serpents attacked me more often when I was without ore, than with any. The wind also changed drastically randomly regardless I had ore or not. In the three times I used a longboat, I only had one experience with the sea serpent and we were carrying iron ore. The wind was somewhat consistent. One of the other two times, I carried ore with me and the wind was consistent. The last time, I didn't carry any ore and the wind was also still consistent.

Of course, to see a real pattern, it means I have to sail a lot more. Perhaps 100 times to get a better sampling.