13 Commom Beliefs That Are Stupid But Most People Believe

Our society is riddled with myths, and despite their lack of truth, they hold sway over many people’s beliefs. It is crucial, therefore, to raise awareness and dispel these harmful misconceptions.

A user asked the forum, “What’s a common belief that’s straight-up stupid, yet somehow most people believe it?”. Let’s look at the top responses from the people.

CHILDREN ARE ABUSED BY STRANGERS ONLY

The myth persists: strangers are the main threat to children. Yet, statistics show the opposite – most abuse occurs within the circle of trust, by family members, friends, or caregivers. 

A user says, “Children are abused by strangers nearly all of the time; it’s somebody they know and trust.”

HAIR WILL GROW THICKER

Shaving only removes the hair shaft at the skin’s surface, leaving the hair follicle and root untouched. These determine the hair’s thickness and growth rate and are not affected by shaving. When the hair grows back after shaving, it will appear stubbly and thicker due to the blunt tip. However, this is only temporary, and the hair will soon return to its natural thickness and growth pattern.

A user says, “That if you shave, your hair will grow back thicker and longer.”

CRACKING KNUCKLES

The popping sound is caused by nitrogen bubbles bursting in our synovial fluid.

A user says, “That cracking of your knuckles causes arthritis. Not only has this been disproven, but by that logic – wouldn’t cracking all the other joints in your body every time you stretch cause arthritis?”

TAX BRACKETS

Tax brackets work progressively, meaning higher income is taxed at a higher rate, but only on the additional income earned. Your entire salary isn’t subjected to the higher tax bracket. This ensures that despite entering a higher tax bracket, your net pay will still increase, albeit slightly slower.

A user says, “That a salary increase can lead to a lower net income because of tax brackets.”

RECYCLING

While “recycled” labels are increasingly common, claiming that most products are truly recycled is a misleading myth. Many products contain only a small percentage of recycled materials, while others are simply designed to mimic recycled materials but are actually made from virgin resources. Did you know less than 10% of plastic waste generated globally has been recycled so far? 

A user says, “Most of what’s marketed as “recyclable” is just that – marketing. The vast majority of what we put into the recycling bins in our homes never gets recycled. If it doesn’t end up in a landfill in your country, it’s likely shipped off to another country’s landfill. It’s not your fault. You’re still doing the right thing by thinking about separating trash from recycling; it’s just not meaningful.”

COLD IS OFTEN CAUGHT BY VIRUS

Colds are caused by viruses, which are spread through contact with infected individuals, not by cold temperatures. While cold weather can weaken the immune system slightly, it’s not enough to directly trigger a cold.

A user says, “You don’t get a cold from being cold; it’s a virus.”

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

Hydrogen peroxide damages healthy skin cells and hinders the healing process. Its fizzing sensation can be misleading, as it doesn’t effectively kill bacteria and can even prolong healing time. For optimal wound care, stick to washing with mild soap and water.

A user says, “Hydrogen peroxide should be used to clean wounds. It was assumed to be a good idea because the body naturally produces it for that purpose, but research revealed carpet bombing an open wound with a strong oxidizing agent is not a good idea.”

HR DEPARTMENT

The widespread belief that HR departments prioritize employee well-being is, unfortunately, a myth. Their primary function often leans towards protecting the company’s interests. This can manifest in various ways, such as prioritizing cost reduction initiatives over employee well-being, handling employee grievances with a bias towards the company, and suppressing employee dissent or concerns. While HR departments may offer services like training and benefits, these ultimately serve to enhance the company’s image and productivity, not necessarily to promote individual employee happiness or growth.

A user says, “HR dept will have your best interests at heart and not just look out for the company.”

ONLY 10% OF THE BRAIN IS USED

Forget the myth. We use nearly all of our brains, not just 10%. Science shows brain activity throughout, even at rest. Ditch the limitations and embrace the full potential within.

A user says, “One common belief that lacks scientific support is the idea that people only use 10% of their brains, which is a myth perpetuated in popular culture despite being scientifically inaccurate.”

GOING HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE

While ambulances have priority on the road, their arrival doesn’t guarantee immediate treatment. Emergency room staff assesses patients based on severity, meaning someone with a more critical condition may be treated first, even if they arrived later. So, while an ambulance ensures faster transport, it doesn’t guarantee immediate attention in the hospital.

A user says, “If you go to the hospital via ambulance, you’ll be seen in the ER quicker. Absolutely not. If someone with toe pain arrives at the hospital via ambulance and someone comes in their own car with chest pain or a stroke, which do you think has a higher potential for life-threatening results???

ERs try to treat the most life-threatening things first.”

CARROTS

While carrots contain beta-carotene, which our body converts to vitamin A, essential for eye health, it’s only crucial for individuals with severe deficiencies. In most cases, carrots simply don’t have enough vitamin A to impact vision significantly. Stop believing this myth and focus on a balanced diet and regular eye exams for optimal vision health.

A user says, “Carrots don’t improve your eyesight; that was a troll during WW2 to prevent the Germans from knowing about Radar.”

BLOOD IN THE VEINS

Actually, blood isn’t blue. While veins appear blue due to how light interacts with our skin and blood, the blood itself is always red. The red color comes from hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen in our blood. This hemoglobin absorbs green and blue light and reflects red light, which is why we see the veins as blue.

A user says, “Your blood in your veins is not blue. Blood is always red. Blood that has been oxygenated (mostly flowing through the arteries) is bright red, and blood that has lost its oxygen (mostly flowing through the veins) is dark red. The bluish color of the veins is only an optical illusion. Blue light does not penetrate as far into tissue as red light. If the blood vessel is sufficiently deep, your eyes see more blue than red reflected light due to the blood’s partial absorption of red wavelengths.”

WET HAIR

While wet hair might make you feel chilly, it has no direct link to getting sick. Colds and flu are caused by viruses, not cold temperatures. So go ahead and embrace that post-shower breeze without worry.

A user says, “There’s a myth that if you go out in the cold with wet hair, you’ll get sick. I do not know where this came from, but apparently, it’s untrue.”

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This article was originally published on Mrs. Daaku Studio.