Notes and news, insights and inspiration from the autonomous collective mind of GS.

It’s a well-known and well-documented scientific fact that Friday the 13^th is the day all the demons, bad juju, and evil gremlins conspire to bring curses and bad luck – and wreak general havoc – upon unsuspecting, innocent humans throughout the land. This phenomenon has been recognized at least as far back as the mid-19^th Century – though the inherent and separate unluckiness of Friday the day and 13 the number date back much further still.

It’s a less well-known (and dubiously documented) scientific fact that the best defense against such otherworldly mischief makers is … pizza.

That’s why, since as far back as the early mid-late 20^th Century, GS Design has marked the occasion of Friday the 13^th with a lunchtime festival of crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings. According to archival company documents, the responsibility of financing the festivities is meant to alternate between the company’s owners and its employees, but no one can remember the workers ever having to actually pick up the tab.

“Obviously, it works,” says principal Marc Tebon. “In more than 25 years in business, we’ve never had a demon-related incident on Friday the 13^th. What more proof do you need?”

Somewhat more skeptical but still pragmatic is fellow principal Jeff Prochnow, who says: “I don’t know if I buy the bad luck stuff, but if a little free pizza now and then keeps the peasants – I mean, the employees – from revolting, I’m okay with it.”