Maybe in a folk sense for me, like the idea that if you brag too much about something, someone will put the Evil Eye on it.
Combined with some systems theory of 'emergent properties' - When there are a lot of people running on certain cultural messages, or really strongly feeling certain emotions without knowing how to express them, they maybe kindof take on 'a life of their own'?
People's collective anger might go beyond those individuals and cause wrathful 'natural' disasters?
People's investment in domineering over their own children, or over poorer people, might create 'bad luck' for people seeking justice or trying to heal - maybe by making them miss phonecalls, or making their phones break, or making them sick so they miss activist things they're trying to do?
But we can fight the curses, maybe by sharing our good-intentions with people we trust, who will affirm us... Maybe with the help of plant-allies, cedar oil or boughs around doorways and dashboards, adaptogen herbs to cope with trauma... Idk i'm trying everything and seeing what works.