Today's Myths

Q: The Amazon rainforest produces 20% of the world's oxygen

Busted: The Amazon consumes nearly as much oxygen through respiration and decomposition as it produces through photosynthesis

Q: Certain dog breeds are inherently more aggressive than others

Plausible: While breed can influence behavioral tendencies, individual temperament, training, socialization, and environment play larger roles in determining aggression. Studies show significant behavioral variation within breeds, and breed alone is a poor predictor of individual aggression.

Q: Ancient Romans used to vomit between courses at feasts so they could eat more

Busted: A vomitorium was an architectural passage for crowds to exit amphitheaters, not a room for purging

Q: Frankenstein was the name of the monster

Busted: In Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein is the name of the scientist Victor Frankenstein who created the creature. The monster itself is never given a name.

Q: Evergreen trees do not lose their leaves

Busted: Evergreen trees do shed their leaves or needles, just not all at once. They continuously replace old foliage throughout the year, maintaining a green appearance. Individual needles on a pine tree may last 2-5 years before falling.

Discover the truth behind popular myths — busted, confirmed, or plausible? Vote on what you believe, debate with the community, and learn something new every day.

Nature

Today's Myths

“The Amazon rainforest produces 20% of the world's oxygen”

“Certain dog breeds are inherently more aggressive than others”

“Ancient Romans used to vomit between courses at feasts so they could eat more”

“Frankenstein was the name of the monster”

“Evergreen trees do not lose their leaves”

“The North Star is the brightest star in the sky”

“Humans evolved from chimpanzees.”

“Different parts of the tongue detect different tastes”

“The dark side of the Moon is always dark”

“Earth's atmosphere is mostly oxygen.”

“Water drains in opposite directions in the Northern and Southern hemispheres”

“The Sahara Desert is the largest desert in the world.”

“Dolphins sleep with one eye open”

“The Bermuda Triangle area has unusual magnetic properties”

“Lightning never strikes the same place twice”