knots

When it comes to rating knots, most of us go with our gut. A bowline seems secure, while a granny knot appears shaky. But, our instincts deceive us. A recent study uncovered our abysmal ability to gauge knot strength. We consistently overrate knots and underestimate their weakness. Shockingly, we fared no better than random chance. This knot-judging deficiency has far-reaching implications, from committing rescues to sailing a ship. So, why are we so clueless about knots? Scientists theorize that our knot-tying skills have not kept pace with our rapidly evolving technological tools.