Ever wonder if the things we take for granted are true? We’re taking a closer look at 15 of some of the most popular myths, from the economic theories that shape our society to the health advice we follow.
1. The Great Wall of China Is Visible From Space
This is a cool idea, but astronauts say it’s not true. The Great Wall can be hard to see even from low Earth orbit, and not visible from the moon. It’s a reminder that not all “facts” are as factual as they sound, especially when they’re used to exaggerate something’s significance.
2. You Need to Drink 8 Glasses of Water a Day
It’s been said that for optimum health, you should drink eight glasses of water a day. However, hydration doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all number. Our bodies are different, and so are our water needs.
3. The Road to Riches Is Paved With Hard Work
We’re often told that if we work hard enough, we’ll end up rich. But it’s not that simple. Sure, hard work is important, but luck, timing, and who you know also play big roles. It’s like a puzzle with many pieces, not just one.
4. Trickle-Down Economics Works for Everyone
The idea here is that if the rich get richer, somehow everyone benefits. In reality, this doesn’t always pan out. Sometimes, the gap between the rich and everyone else just gets wider, leaving many people behind.
5. Blaming the Poor or the Rich Misses the Point
Some say the poor are to blame for economic problems, while others point fingers at the rich. The truth? It’s more complicated. Economies are huge systems with lots of moving parts, and it’s not fair to blame just one group.
6. Time Heals All Wounds
This saying suggests that just waiting will make everything better. While time can help, healing also requires effort, like talking to someone or finding ways to cope. It’s not just about the clock ticking.
7. College Is the Only Way to Success
Going to college can be great, but it’s not the only path to a happy and successful life. Many jobs don’t require a college degree, and skills or trades can also lead to fulfilling careers.
8. Eating Carrots Gives You Super Night Vision
Thanks to a story from World War II, lots of us believe carrots are the key to seeing in the dark. Carrots are healthy and good for your eyes, but they won’t give you night-vision goggles.
9. Money Can’t Buy Happiness
While it’s true that money alone can’t make you happy, it does make life easier in many ways. The key is finding a balance between the things money can buy and the joys that come for free.
10. Columbus Discovered America
Columbus played a big role in history, but saying he “discovered” America overlooks the people who were already here. Plus, other explorers reached the Americas before him.
11. Eating Fat Makes You Fat
It’s not as simple as “fat equals fat.” Our bodies need a mix of nutrients, including fats. It’s more about balance and eating the right kinds of foods in the right amounts.
12. Smoking Being Safe for You
For a long time, tobacco companies said smoking wasn’t harmful, even when they knew it was. They put profits over people’s health, showing why we can’t always take information at face value.
13. Red Meat Is Bad for You
Like many things, red meat is fine in moderation. It’s part of a balanced diet, and not all red meat is created equal. The key is how much and what kind you eat.
14. Diamonds Are Super Rare
Diamonds are marketed as rare treasures, but they’re more common than you might think. It’s all about how they’re sold to us and why they seem so special.
15. Breakfast Is the Most Important Meal
Sure, starting your day with breakfast can be a good idea, but it’s not a must-do for everyone. What’s more important is that you’re getting the right nutrients throughout the day.
15 Behaviors That Are a Dead Giveaways Someone Is Poorly Educated
We all like to think we are always acting at our most intelligent and rational. Yet, ignorance from a lack of education can sneak up on us or be on full display in others.
Awareness is key to preventing and correcting some of our worst ideas and behavior. Here are 15 signs of ignorance and poor education to look out for.
15 Behaviors That Are a Dead Giveaways Someone Is Poorly Educated
15 Things People Mistakenly Think Are Real but Aren’t
People believe all kinds of ridiculous things, and they believe some true-sounding things that are actually false as well. Some of these things have been repeated for ages and will probably never go away.
Others have sprung up more recently and spread fast, thanks to the internet. While you probably can’t convince the people who repeat such misinformation that they’re wrong, you can at least know the truth when they try to push it on you!
15 Things People Mistakenly Think Are Real but Aren’t
The 20 Most Successful Singers Of All Time
It’s easy to judge the success of an artist based on how many Grammys they’ve won or by how much money they’ve made. A better look at success, however, is to see how many singles they’ve released relative to the number of Grammys they’ve won.
According to BonusInsider, these artists are the most successful based on these metrics.