The power of imagination. If we wish for something badly enough, will it happen? No. But there is some Science in it.

They call it “manifestation” or “laws of attraction” and the internet is full of this pseudoscientific nonsense. “Visualize what you want, your dream car, your job, your perfect life, your ex texting you… now say ‘I say!’.” You have to want it really, really badly, have faith. If only it were that simple! I say that I will win the Euromillions on Friday. I say that no more children in Gaza will be killed or die of hunger. But this Aladdin inside our heads refuses to obey us.

The demonstration sometimes uses scientific and psychological language to describe how it works. For example, it is not just about asking for a million euros, but using positive thinking techniques, replacing “I will never be able to save a million euros” with “I will work hard and save to be able to save a million euros”. In other words, it requires action and focus, which is not very different from what a high-level athlete does: I want to win Olympic medals and I will train for that.