12 Things We Grew Up Thinking Were True That Are Actually Myths
Chameleons Change Color to Blend In
Chameleons are famous for their ability to change color, but it’s a myth that they do so primarily to blend into their surroundings. In reality, chameleons change color for various reasons, including temperature regulation, communication, and emotional state.
Scientists have discovered that chameleons have specialized cells called chromatophores that allow them to change color. These cells can expand or contract to display different pigments. The color changes can signal a chameleon’s mood, reproductive status, or communication with other chameleons.
The Great Wall of China is Visible from Space
In middle school, a friend claimed that Apollo astronauts could see the Great Wall of China from the moon. If someone were to tell me that now, I would immediately recognize it as nonsense. Despite its impressive length, the Great Wall is surprisingly narrow, with its most comprehensive sections measuring only about 10 meters across. At the distance of the moon, the Wall would appear as a line one ten-thousandth of an arcminute thick, which is about the same as trying to see a human hair from a kilometer away with the naked eye-impossible!
Additionally, the Great Wall blends with the landscape, following the terrain, especially near cliffs and hills. Astronauts have tried to spot it from space but without success. Any detailed images from orbit are taken with a telephoto lens, which has a much higher resolution than the human eye. Even Yang Liwei, China’s first taikonaut, admitted he couldn’t see the Wall from orbit, and if anyone had a reason to try, it would be him.
You Only Use 10% of Your Brain
Movies, books, and even some educators have perpetuated this myth. The idea that we only use 10% of our brain suggests a vast potential that lies untapped within us. However, neuroscientists have debunked this myth. Brain imaging techniques, like fMRI and PET scans, reveal that nearly every part of the brain is utilized, with a high activity level throughout most of the brain’s regions.
The origin of this myth is unclear, but it may have started with early neuroscientists who didn’t fully understand brain functions. Over time, the myth was popularized by media and self-help books, implying that tapping into the unused 90% could unlock extraordinary abilities. In reality, different parts of the brain are responsible for various functions, from motor control to sensory input and complex thinking.
Bulls Hate the Color Red
The image of a matador waving a red cape to provoke a bull is iconic, but it’s not the color that angers the bull. Bulls are colorblind to red. The myth likely stems from the traditional red of the matador’s cape, the muleta. Bulls react to the movement of the cape, not its color.
Scientific studies have shown that cattle, including bulls, have dichromatic vision. This means they see only two color spectrums, essentially red-green colorblind. Bulls charge at the cape because of the provocative movements made by the matador, not the cape’s color.
Goldfish Have a Three-Second Memory
Goldfish have long been the subject of jokes about their three-second memory span. In reality, goldfish are much more intelligent than we give them credit for. Various studies have shown that goldfish can remember things for months, recognize their owners, and even be trained to perform tricks.
A study from the School of Psychology at the University of Plymouth demonstrated that goldfish can learn to associate certain sounds with feeding time, proving they have a memory span far longer than three seconds. They can also remember mazes and find their way through them weeks later.
Shaving Makes Hair Grow Back Thicker
Many believe that shaving leads to the regrowth of thicker and darker hair.. This common myth arises from shaved hair appearing blunt and coarse when it grows out, giving the sensation of thicker hair. However, shaving does not change hair’s thickness, color, or growth rate.
Dermatologists explain that hair growth is determined by hair follicles beneath the skin. Shaving merely cuts hair at the surface and does not affect the follicles. The bluntness of the regrowth can make hair feel more stubbly, but it’s not thicker.
Napoleon Bonaparte was Unusually Short
Napoleon Bonaparte is often depicted as very short, leading to the term “Napoleon complex,” which describes short men who act aggressively to compensate for their height. In reality, Napoleon’s height was average for his time. He was about 5 feet 6 inches tall, typical for a Frenchman in the early 19th century.
The myth may have originated from confusion between French and British measurements. The French inch was longer than the British inch, leading to discrepancies in recorded height. British cartoons and propaganda often exaggerated Napoleon’s short stature to ridicule him.
Bats are Blind
“Blind as a bat” implies that bats cannot see, but this is a myth. Most bats have good eyesight, especially in low-light conditions. Bats utilize echolocation for navigation and locating food in low-light conditions; however, this does not imply they lack vision.
Echolocation involves emitting high-frequency sounds and listening to the echoes that bounce back from objects. This allows bats to “see” their environment in detail. Nevertheless, many bats rely on their vision, particularly those active during dusk and dawn.
Toads Give You Warts
One of the more enduring childhood myths is that touching a toad can give you warts. This myth likely originated from the bumpy appearance of toad skin, which resembles warts. However, warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and cannot be transmitted by toads.
Toads have glands on their skin that secrete substances to deter predators. While some substances can irritate human skin, they do not cause warts. The myth persists because of the visual similarity between toad skin and warts, but there is no scientific basis for this belief.
Evolution is Just a Theory
The phrase “just a theory” is often used to downplay the validity of evolution. In scientific terms, a theory is a well-substantiated explanation based on evidence and experimentation. Evolution is supported by a vast body of evidence from multiple scientific disciplines, including genetics, paleontology, and comparative anatomy.
The myth likely arises from misunderstanding the term “theory” within a scientific context. Unlike a hypothesis, a tentative explanation, a theory is a comprehensive framework that elucidates a wide range of phenomena. Grasping this distinction is essential for a deeper appreciation of the scientific method and the substantial evidence underpinning evolutionary biology.
