We humans like to think we’re incredibly clever. After all, we’ve been around for millions of years, made countless discoveries and breakthroughs, and often consider ourselves the smartest species. Throughout our lives, we absorb information from elders, teachers, and now the internet, often accepting it as fact, especially from trusted sources. However, even the smartest minds can be wrong (remember when everyone thought the Earth was flat?). This means sometimes, what we think is right is actually wrong. So, in the spirit of learning, let’s explore seven commonly believed facts that are actually false and uncover the truth behind them.
1. St. Patrick Was Irish
It’s easy to assume St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was Irish. After all, St. Patrick’s Day is a huge celebration in Ireland and around the world. Plus, he’s known as the ‘Apostle of Ireland.’ But this fifth-century Christian missionary and bishop wasn’t actually from Ireland. He was born in Kilpatrick, Scotland, and captured at age 14 during a raid on his hometown. He was taken to Ireland as a slave, herding sheep. After six years of slavery, he escaped and reunited with his family. However, he returned to Ireland, later spreading Christianity throughout the country.
2. Sugar Makes Children ‘Hyperactive’
Many parents believe that sugar consumption causes hyperactivity in children. However, there’s no scientific evidence to support this. It’s a myth based on a single study from the 1970s where a doctor removed sugar from one child’s diet, and the child’s behavior improved. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reported that parents are more likely to attribute their child’s high energy levels to sugar consumption. A study found that parents rated their children as ‘hyperactive’ even when they were given sugar-free drinks.
3. You Lose Most of Your Body Heat Through Your Head
We’ve all heard reasons why we lose most body heat through our heads: lack of fat between the scalp and skull, circulation keeping the brain warm, and the numerous blood vessels in the scalp. While these seem plausible, WebMD explains that the head represents only about 10% of the body’s surface area. If the head lost 75% of the body’s heat, it would need to lose 40 times as much heat per square inch as any other body part. Medicine Net states that 85% of the body’s heat loss occurs through the skin via conduction, convection, radiation, and sweat evaporation.
4. Chameleons Change Colour to Blend In with Their Surroundings
New Scientist debunks the myth that chameleons change color to blend in with their surroundings. While they can change their skin color, it’s based on temperature or mood. It’s still impressive! However, another animal can adapt to its background: cuttlefish. These creatures have millions of chromatophores, specialized cells containing pigment granules, allowing them to change their skin’s color, pattern, and brightness. National Geographic adds that they can also change their skin’s shape, switching between flat blades, nodes, or spikes.
5. Humans Only Have Five Senses
We learn in school about our five senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. However, neuroscientists suggest we have between 22 and 33 different senses. As the World Economic Forum explains, our lesser-known senses include:
*
Equilibrioception:
Sense of balance*
Proprioception:
Sense of body position and movement*
Kinaesthesia:
Sense of movement*
Thermoception:
Sense and perception of temperature*
Nociception:
Ability to feel pain*
Chronoception:
Time perception6. The Great Wall of China is Visible from Space
Technically, you can see the Great Wall of China from the International Space Station (ISS) using high-powered lenses. But this is hardly accessible to the average person. With the naked eye, it’s impossible to see the Great Wall of China from space. While it’s grand, its visibility is limited due to its narrowness, making it too thin to see from space, and its distance. Pollution from China’s industrialization also hinders visibility.
7. Chimps Have More Hair Than Humans
One look at a chimp might convince you that they have way more hair than humans. But this is false. Humans and chimpanzees have similar hair densities; ours is just less visible. According to New Scientist, the average human has around five million hair follicles, about the same as chimps and other primates. Apart from the soles of your feet and palms of your hands, your entire body is covered in hair.
These are just a few commonly believed facts that are actually false. Learning about these misconceptions helps us understand the world around us better and encourages us to think critically about the information we encounter.