Question 1

Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis.

Accepted Answer

Busted: Multiple studies have shown no direct link between knuckle cracking and the development of arthritis. The popping sound comes from gas bubbles bursting in the synovial fluid that lubricates your joints, not from bones rubbing or causing damage. While some studies suggest a potential link to reduced grip strength, it's generally considered a harmless habit.

Question 2

Alcohol kills brain cells.

Accepted Answer

Busted: Alcohol does not directly kill brain cells. However, excessive and chronic alcohol consumption can cause significant brain damage and impair brain function. It can disrupt the growth of dendrites, which are connections between brain cells, leading to impaired communication and eventually brain shrinkage, particularly in areas associated with memory and cognition.

Question 3

Spiders are insects.

Accepted Answer

Busted: Spiders are arachnids, not insects. While both are arthropods, insects have six legs, three body segments (head, thorax, abdomen), and usually wings and antennae. Spiders have eight legs, two body segments (cephalothorax and abdomen), and no antennae or wings.

Question 4

The Aztecs thought Cortes was a god

Accepted Answer

Busted: The idea that the Aztecs believed Cortes was Quetzalcoatl returning was likely a post-conquest narrative created by Spanish friars and Aztec elites to explain the conquest.

Question 5

The five-second rule for dropped food is safe to follow.

Accepted Answer

Busted: Scientific studies have repeatedly debunked the five-second rule, showing that bacteria transfer from surfaces to food can occur almost instantaneously upon contact. While longer contact times may result in more bacteria transfer, contamination begins in less than a second, rendering the rule unreliable for food safety. Factors like the type of food, surface, and moisture also play a role.

Today's Myths

“Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis.”

“Alcohol kills brain cells.”

“Spiders are insects.”

“The Aztecs thought Cortes was a god”

“The five-second rule for dropped food is safe to follow.”

“Red sky at night is a reliable weather predictor”

“Daddy longlegs are the most venomous spiders”

“Fortune cookies originated in China”

“Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight”

“The Great Chicago Fire was started by a cow.”

“You can get warts from touching a toad.”

“The largest desert in the world is the Sahara”

“The Earth is closer to the sun in summer, causing warmer temperatures.”

“Jellyfish have no brains”

“Yawning is contagious because of empathy”