“Absurdly improbably things happen all the time”

Statistician David J. Hand explains why, in Slate:

1.  There are an infinite number of improbable events that could occur
2.  Lots of things happen – every day, every month, every year
3.  The improbable becomes inevitable

Add to this the fact that our minds are inclined to focus on the improbable that does happen and to point it out to others.  It should not surprise us when we are surprised!