5 Sod's Law Annoyances That Have Scientific Explanations

In a similar vein to our traffic light debacle, when you're in a rush (late a lot, aren't you?), Sod's Law says that you will usually end up stuck behind a herd of the most oblivious, lumbering cretins that ever (slowly) walked the earth. They will usually be fanned out in a V formation that takes up most of the pavement and completely oblivious to both your presence and irritation levels. With a valiant effort, you squeeze by apologetically and resist the urge to throw your Starbucks all over them.

Again, it would seem that you are actually partially to blame for this. Crowds are self-organising systems that follow models similar to those in fluid dynamics and, when you're rushing around, you're interrupting the natural flow of the crowd. When you're moving faster than the majority of the herd, you will inevitably, repeatedly catch up with the groups that are not moving as quickly as you.

But why must they take up the entire path, surely that's not your fault is it? Well no, it's not. Studies have found that groups of people walking together will naturally form a V shape, like the reverse of a flock of migrating birds. This has nothing to do with the fluid nature of crowds and everything to do with social interaction. The V shape is the best way for everybody in the group to be involved in the conversation whilst on the move, and the absolute best way of ensuring that you have a stress-induced nosebleed on your way to work.