Common Misconceptions

[Jay-qu]

I had to refrain from calling this thread 'mythbusting' but that is essentially the idea

In day to day life I often here people happily sprout (regurgitate) interesting facts or statistics, without checking their validity first. When I hear one I know to be false I like to point it out (sometimes this can be quite the conversation killer if the story is been told to a group.. ).

Two of these common misconceptions come to mind, though there are many more.

1. Americans spent millions of dollars on developing a space pen, while the Russians simply took a pencil.

This one is so far off the mark in so many ways. Firstly NASA did send pencils into space but because of the danger of the tip snapping and getting lodged in an instrument coupled with the fact the pencil is quite a good combustion fuel, led them to seeking an alternate writing implement. It turns out a space pen was developed, but totally independent of any NASA funding. Finally it turns out ball point pens work in zero-g after all

2. Daddy long legs are the most venomous spiders, but because of their tiny fangs cant do any harm to humans.

Again this one is wrong on both fronts - The Brazilian Wandering spider is credited to been the worlds most venomous spider and daddy long legs can actually bite humans, but deliver a very very mild sting that leaves almost instantaneously.

So who else would like to help rid a bit of ignorance and bust a myth wide open? Feel free to share, I'll add some more as I come across them

J

[orbsycli]

I have to say this:

I always hear movies, and humans talking about how "acid stays in your spine forever"
First off, the term "acid" is incorrect... LSD is actually a base.
And if it were to ever be absorbed into your skin on accident or something it would metabolize rather quickly.
It flips switches and causes chain reactions, and no
does not stay in your spine forever.

Such a peculiar little molecule . .

[Jay-qu]

Our Brains - we dont use 'only a small part of' it, we use all of it - and thats not enough for some people!

[Moontanman]

Evidently there is a misconception in some areas that population 1 stars are the first stars in the universe

[Jay-qu]

Oh heres a big one - that the LHC will destroy the planet..

[Moontanman]

Contrary to popular belief there are no automobile sized catfish in the water in or around any dams in the US or in any other North American waters

[Jay-qu]

Raw milk is not bad for you - pasturised is.

[Moontanman]

Originally Posted by Jay-qu

Raw milk is not bad for you - pasturised is.

I grew up on fresh raw milk, often I milked the cow myself. Have you ever let raw milk stand until the cream rises and skimmed it off and used it to make chocolate milk with dark coco powder and raw sugar? Absolute heaven!

[Jay-qu]

No but that sounds delicious

(The right) Cholesterol isnt bad for you, otherwise it wouldnt make up 20% of your cell membrane.

[Moontanman]

Originally Posted by Jay-qu

No but that sounds delicious

(The right) Cholesterol isnt bad for you, otherwise it wouldnt make up 20% of your cell membrane.

Hmmm, are you saying the misconception is that Cholesterol is bad for you or that it isn't? BTW the cream coco was great although I often got fussed at for making it, cream had to be saved to make butter which we sold.