Buzz
To be perfectly honest, I have a deep affection for lists that tackle myths—I find as much joy in creating them as I do in exploring them. This enthusiasm has driven me to assemble a third edition on the subject! Loyal followers will recall that I’ve previously shared two similar compilations, which are accessible here and here. Dive into this list, and if you have any myths you’d like to challenge, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments!
10. Brainpower
Common Misconception: Humans only utilize 10% of their brain capacity
This claim is entirely untrue. The origins of this myth remain unclear, but its persistence is well-documented. Early proponents of this falsehood suggested that psychic abilities stemmed from individuals accessing more than 10% of their brain, implying that untapped regions could unlock paranormal powers. This narrative fueled the publication of countless books promising to teach people how to harness this supposed potential. The reality, however, is that humans use their entire brain—its very existence serves this purpose. A clear example is the hemispherectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of half the brain. Patients undergoing this surgery experience paralysis in half of their body, demonstrating the brain's full utilization.
9. Shaving
Common Misconception: Shaving causes hair to grow back thicker or coarser
This misconception persists because uncut hair develops tapered or split ends, which feel softer compared to freshly shaved hair. This explains why a full beard feels smooth, while stubble feels coarse. If this myth held any truth, balding men could simply shave their heads to regrow thicker hair, and women with thinning hair would do the same. It’s astonishing how such an easily debunked myth continues to be widely believed!
8. Penis Enlarging
Common Misconception: Special devices or medications can increase the length or girth of your penis
This is completely false and the reason behind countless spam emails circulating globally. Vacuum pumps, pills, and stretching methods have no effect whatsoever on the size of your manhood (and, by extension, the horsepower of your car). The sole method for penis enlargement is surgical enhancement, which is notoriously costly, excruciatingly painful, and downright gruesome—or so I’ve heard!
7. MSG is Bad Bad Bad
Common Misconception: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is harmful and should always be avoided
To begin with, MSG is a naturally occurring compound present in foods like tomatoes, mushrooms, and seaweed. It was first extracted and introduced in pure powder form in 1907 and 1909. MSG acts as a flavor enhancer, stimulating the umami taste—the fifth taste alongside salty, sweet, sour, and bitter. Just as sugar enhances sweetness, MSG enhances umami, often described as 'savory.' Adding MSG to a dull soup or broth can significantly boost its flavor, creating a depth that’s hard to achieve otherwise. Many top chefs prefer natural sources of MSG, such as tomatoes or mushrooms, though some also use the powdered form directly. The belief that MSG causes illness is a myth fueled by global media scares. Ironically, those who fear MSG often consume chips, fast food, and pre-packaged meals, which frequently contain it. For instance, the UK’s 'Bisto' gravy granules are rich in MSG, as are numerous seasonings and sauces found in supermarkets worldwide. In Australia and New Zealand, MSG is labeled as 'flavour enhancer 621' (E621). An Australian study on 'Chinese Restaurant Syndrome' found no evidence linking MSG to the condition: '[R]igorous and realistic scientific evidence linking the syndrome to MSG could not be found.' So, go ahead and enjoy MSG!
6. Population Explosion
Common Misconception: Half or more of all humans ever born are alive today
This is a false belief, likely spread by eugenicists and others advocating for population control to 'save' the planet. This myth isn’t new—back in 1798, Thomas Malthus predicted that population growth would outstrip the global food supply by the mid-1800s. According to the Population Reference Bureau, over 106 billion humans have lived throughout history. With the current global population exceeding 6 billion, only about 6% of all humans ever born are alive today—far fewer than claimed by those sounding the alarm about overpopulation. More concerning is the fact that many nations now have birth rates too low to maintain their current population levels, resulting in negative population growth (as shown in the chart above).
5. Plant Magic
Common Misconception: Plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen
This might surprise many, but while plants do generate oxygen, they don’t achieve this by converting carbon dioxide. The process, known as photosynthesis, is somewhat complex, but in simple terms, plants transform carbon dioxide into carbohydrate precursors and water, which serve as their fuel. This is a light-independent process, meaning it doesn’t require light. So, how do plants produce the oxygen we breathe? They use a light-dependent process, which relies on light. This process converts light into potential energy, with oxygen being a byproduct.
4. Antarctic-Arctic
Common Misconception: The North Pole is north, and the South Pole is south
In terms of physics, the North Pole, while geographically in the north, is actually a south magnetic pole, and the South Pole, geographically in the south, is a north magnetic pole. When your compass points north, it’s actually aligning with the south pole of Earth’s magnetic field. Around 780,000 years ago, this wasn’t the case, as the Earth’s magnetic poles were reversed—a phenomenon known as geomagnetic reversal. To add to the complexity, the poles aren’t fixed; they drift randomly, likely due to movements in the molten nickel-iron alloy within Earth’s core.
3. Free as a bird
Common Misconception: Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freed all slaves
In reality, it freed very few, if any, slaves. Why? Because the Emancipation Proclamation (1862) only declared freedom for slaves in Confederate states—states over which Lincoln and the Union government had no authority. Additionally, it didn’t apply to slaves in states already under Union control. This would be akin to Australia attempting to enforce a law on New Zealand, despite being separate nations. Essentially, the Emancipation Proclamation was ineffective. Slavery wasn’t fully abolished until the Thirteenth Amendment was ratified on December 6, 1865.
Contributor: JFrater
2. Melting Glass
Common Misconception: Glass is a slow-moving liquid
This is entirely false. The misconception arises from old glass panes where the bottom appears thicker than the top, giving the illusion that the glass is 'melting' and pooling downward. However, this effect is due to outdated manufacturing techniques, not the properties of glass. Modern glass windows don’t exhibit this behavior. In reality, glass is an amorphous ceramic, not a liquid.
1. Mirror Mirror On The Wall
Common Misconception: A mirror flips left and right
When we gaze into a mirror, it seems as though our left and right sides are swapped—left becomes right and right becomes left. However, the truth is that the mirror flips us front to back, not side to side. The illusion of left-right reversal stems from our familiarity with people turning to face us, which naturally swaps their left and right. To understand what the mirror truly does, imagine someone doing a handstand to face you instead of turning around—their left and right remain unchanged, but their top and bottom switch places. Similarly, a mirror doesn’t reverse left and right or top and bottom; it simply inverts the front and back.
