Even with all the evidence to prove them, there are some scientific facts out there that people point-blank refuse to believe. You can show them physical evidence of these facts being true, yet they’ll still refuse to accept them. Let’s look at 18 of them and why some people refuse to believe them.
The Earth is Round
Believe it or not, some people are still on the fence about the Earth being round, and in some cases, they outright deny it. We’ve got satellite images and astronauts out there taking pictures from space, but that’s not enough for some people. They’d rather believe conspiracy theories and doubt the science behind it.
Vaccines Do Work
No matter what you might hear, vaccines are usually quite safe and effective. Before doctors can even use them, they go through tests to check how effective they are and if there are any side effects. But some people still get caught up in scary stories and seem to think that they’ll get autism from a vaccine or something worse.
Evolution and You
Evolution by natural selection explains why we’re here and how we’ve changed over millions of years, although some people disagree. For some of them, it goes against their beliefs, and for others, they misunderstand the term “scientific theory.” Unlike a regular theory, a scientific theory uses laws and facts to support it, and it’s not just guesswork. It’s something proven.
Modern Apes
Similarly, some people who do believe in evolution seem to think that we came from modern apes, like champs or gorillas. Humans and modern apes have a common ancestor, and we’re more like evolutionary cousins. Our family tree is a little more complicated, and we’re not just a step away from the apes we see in the wild.
Climate Change
It turns out that we have a lot to do with climate change because all the driving and energy we use is heating up the planet. This is also a political and economic issue, even with all the people who doubt it. Unfortunately, it’s quite a serious issue that we need to try to solve now rather than deny it.
Earth’s Age
There have been plenty of ideas, but most scientists agree that the Earth is over 4.5 billion years old. They’ve used things like radiometric dating and geology to see the real age of the planet. Even with all this evidence, some people would rather take their holy books more literally and believe the Earth is much younger.
Good to Grow and Eat
Genetically modified foods, or GMOs, have been around for decades, and they’re perfectly safe to eat. Science shows they’re just as nutritious and safe as ones that haven’t been genetically modified. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of myths about them going around, even though none of these are true.
Space Travel
Although we’ve been sending people into space since the 1960s, some people believe that space exploration is a complete hoax. Lots of international space agencies have conducted missions to the stars, and plenty of astronauts have shared their experiences, yet some still believe that these are all fake. But the real question is, what would they get out of faking it?
Using Antibiotics
There are many misconceptions about antibiotics. First, they only treat bacterial infections, which is why we can’t use them for viruses. Second, they’re not something we should use all that often, as overuse can make bacteria evolve to become resistant. While they might not directly make you sick, they’re still not something we should use all the time.
Sugar Makes Kids Hyper
Parents everywhere might swear that sugar makes their kids a lot to handle, but there’s no scientific link between sugar and hyperactivity. Instead, it’s more likely that kids get excited about the situation where they’ve been having sugar treats, like being at parties. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should give kids candy like crazy, as it’s still bad for them.
Scary Sharks
They might seem terrible in the movies, but sharks aren’t that eager to eat people. In fact, statistics show you’re more likely to be struck by lightning than be bitten by a shark. Most people bitten by sharks tend to survive, and they’re not exactly the man-eating monsters some people think they are.
The Five-Second Rule
As annoying as it is, the “five-second rule” of picking up food that’s fallen on the floor just isn’t true. Science says no time limit can stop any bacteria or germs from getting into your food. It’s actually the type of food and the surface it lands on that matters more, although you’re better off not eating it at all.
Bats Aren’t Blind
It might be a common saying, but “blind as a bat” simply isn’t true. Bats are actually pretty good at seeing things, especially at dusk, and their ability to use echolocation to “see” what’s in front of them is pretty impressive. They can “see” better than any human in complete darkness, that’s for sure.
10% of Our Brains
The idea that we only use 10% of our brains is completely false. Brain scans show that we’re using the majority of our brains even when we’re doing simple things. We don’t use our whole brain all the time, but we use different parts of it depending on what we’re activity we’re doing. It’s definitely more than 10%.
Full Moons
Ask any teacher, and they’ll tell you that full moons make children act a little weird, although there’s no science to prove that. There doesn’t seem to be any connection between the moon’s phases and human behavior. Even though the emergency rooms and police departments might feel busier, it’s probably just confirmation bias.
Good Goldfish
Goldfish don’t have three-second memories, but they can actually remember things for months. Studies have shown that these little swimmers can be trained to respond to light and time patterns, which they remember for a long time. They’re not just swimming circles without any idea.
Catching Colds
It’s a good idea to wear layers when it’s cold, but that’s not because you’re going to get sick. Viruses and bacteria get you sick, not chilly weather. People tend to be indoors more during colder months, which makes it easier to catch germs, and the cold air has no effect on that whatsoever.
Cracking Your Knuckles
No matter what your parents might’ve told you, there’s no evidence cracking your knuckles causes arthritis or that it even hurts you. The popping sound comes from gas bubbles bursting in your joints instead of bones breaking. It might drive people around you crazy, but it’s really not doing any harm.
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