Yes, this. As I’ve often said, the brain is a hermeneutic engine. It’s primary function, like that of a heart to blood flow, is to interpret, whether of the ongoings of the senses or of the comings and goings of the biochemistry in the body.

Well, it will sometimes do that, but it is very rare. It will take the path of least resistance. In this case that means it will usually land on a long side, since to land on a short side and stay there, it has to balance its footprint against its tendency to fall over. It’s the same as when you relax your body, you tend to fall into a reclined position where your body is more horizontal than vertical.