Genies grant three wishes, the newborn Jesus was visited by three magi, and Goldilocks had to contend with three bears. Not one, nor two, nor four, but exactly three. For all D’Artagnan’s heroism, ...

Do celebrities really die in three? Actor Malcom-Jamal Warner, singer Ozzy Osbourne and professional wrestler Hulk Hogan died in late July, prompting Google search around the “rule of three” to spike.

You’re in a meeting and someone asks for your recommendation. You could rattle off seven considerations, walk through a dozen data points, and cover every angle you’ve been thinking about for the past ...