In a landscape crowded with misinformation, certain widely believed “facts” crumble under scrutiny. This article exposes 17 such misconceptions, revealing the truth behind these commonly accepted notions. Prepare for a journey of discovery as we debunk these myths and uncover the surprising realities they conceal.
Humans Only Use 10% of Their Brain
Contrary to popular belief, humans use all parts of their brain. Brain imaging techniques such as PET scans and fMRI have shown activity throughout the entire brain even during simple tasks.
Goldfish Have a Three-Second Memory
Research has demonstrated that goldfish have memories that span much longer than three seconds. Studies have shown that goldfish can remember information for months and even recognize their owners.
Bulls Are Enraged by the Color Red
Bulls are actually color-blind to red. It’s the movement of the cape in bullfighting that agitates them, not the color.
Chameleons Change Color to Camouflage
While chameleons do change color, it’s primarily for communication, not camouflage. They use color changes to regulate temperature, express emotions, and communicate with other chameleons.
Shaving Makes Hair Grow Back Thicker
Shaving doesn’t alter the thickness or rate of hair growth. It may appear thicker initially because shaved hair has a blunt tip, but it’s actually the same thickness as before.
Einstein Failed Math in School
This myth suggests that even geniuses struggle academically. However, Einstein excelled in math from a young age and eventually became a renowned physicist.
Cracking Knuckles Causes Arthritis
Studies have shown no link between knuckle cracking and arthritis. The sound is caused by gas bubbles in the synovial fluid and doesn’t lead to joint problems.
Dropping a Penny from a Skyscraper Can Kill Someone
Terminal velocity prevents even a penny from reaching lethal speeds when dropped from a tall building. It may sting but won’t cause serious harm.
Bats Are Blind
While some bats use echolocation, most species can see. Their vision may not be as acute as other animals, but they are not blind.
Napoleon Bonaparte Was Short
Napoleon was actually of average height for his time, around 5 feet 6 inches, according to historical records.
Waking Sleepwalkers Can Harm Them
It’s a common belief that waking a sleepwalker can be dangerous, but it’s generally harmless. However, gently guiding them back to bed is recommended.
Daddy Longlegs are Highly Venomous
While daddy longlegs have venom, it’s not potent enough to harm humans. Furthermore, many “daddy longlegs” aren’t even spiders but rather harvestmen, which don’t produce venom.
Swallowed Gum Takes Seven Years to Digest
Gum passes through the digestive system at the same rate as other foods. It’s typically excreted within a few days without causing any harm.
Birds Will Die if They Touch Baby Birds
Birds have a limited sense of smell, so they won’t reject their young if humans touch them. However, it’s best to avoid unnecessary contact to prevent stress to the birds.
Bulls Hate the Color Red
As mentioned earlier, bulls are actually color-blind to red. It’s the movement of the cape in bullfighting that agitates them, not the color.
The Great Wall of China is Visible from Space
Despite its impressive length, the Great Wall of China is not readily visible from space with the naked eye. It can be seen in satellite images, but so can many other structures.
Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice
Lightning can and does strike the same place multiple times. Tall buildings and structures in particular are often struck repeatedly during storms.
This article originally appeared on UnifyCosmos.
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