Myths

For our purposes: Myths are commonly held beliefs or ideas that are false. For a claim to be considered a myth one or more parts of it must be proved false. Other definitions of myth, such as those pertaining to the not false-but-allegorical stories we tell to explain things, are discussed on our “what is a myth?” page.

Below is a collection of all factoids rated “myth” (as in “not true or not fully true”) by our authors.  If you disagree or have more evidence to support a claim consider commenting. See our list of facts here.

Hitler Was Elected President in a Democratic Election myth

Hitler came to power in a Democracy as the NAZIs gained seats in the Reichstag, but he was never elected President in a Democratic election.

Saul Alinsky Was a Satanist myth

Saul Alinsky wasn't a satanist, nor did he dedicate Rules for Radicals to Lucifer. Alinsky simply used Lucifer as a literary device to teach community organizing.

King Arthur Was Real myth

King Arthur, a Briton who was said to have defended Britain against the Saxons in the late 5th century, is almost certainly a mythological figure.

Game Theory is the Study of Games myth

Game theory involves games, but it isn't the study of games. It is the study of mathematical models of conflict and cooperation regarding decision making.

We Only Use 10% of Our Brain myth

The average human uses 100% of the brain on a daily basis, and there is no "silent areas" of a normal healthy human brain.

The Second Amendment Was Ratified to Preserve Slavery myth

Some claim the Second Amendment, like the Three-Fifths Compromise, was ratified to preserve slavery. This is only partially true.

All Black Widow Spiders are Deadly myth

Not all Black Widows are deadly. The adult female Black Widow's poison can be deadly, but male and juvenile Black Windows are essentially harmless.

You Should Wait to Swim After Eating myth

You don't have to wait to swim after you eat. Swimming after eating doesn't cause cramps and has minimal to no effect on swimming performance.

Sound Always Travels Slower than Light myth

Sound usually travels slower than light, but not always. Under normal conditions, light moves roughly a million times faster than sound, but under the right conditions sound can travel faster than light.

America Gained Independence on July 4th, 1776 myth

The Declaration of Independence was voted on July 2nd, 1776 and signed July 4th, 1776, but independence wasn't officially gained until the signing of the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783.