10 'Facts' That Are Totally Made Up

TLDR;

This video addresses common misconceptions and myths that have circulated over time, debunking each one by providing factual information.

• The Great Wall of China is not visible from space despite its length.
• The claim that cracking knuckles causes arthritis is false.
• It is incorrect to believe that humans only use 10% of their brains.
• While Inuit languages have many words for snow, it’s a feature of compound words found in all languages.
• The idea of needing eight glasses of water a day lacks scientific backing.
• Tap water is often just as safe or safer than bottled water.
• Gum does not take seven years to digest.
• Blood is red in veins, not blue.
• The belief in fan death in South Korea is unfounded.
• The claim that people swallow eight spiders a year while sleeping is ridiculous.

The Great Wall of China is Visible from Space [0:04]

The Great Wall of China, stretching over 5,000 miles, is widely believed to be the only man-made structure visible from space. However, despite its impressive length, it is only about 30 feet wide at its broadest point. A photo from the International Space Station illustrates that the Wall is practically indistinguishable from other landscape features, often confused with rivers or mountains, proving it is not visible to the naked eye.

Cracking Knuckles Causes Arthritis [0:42]

Contrary to popular belief, cracking your knuckles does not cause arthritis. It might be seen as socially annoying, but there is no scientific evidence to support the notion that it leads to any long-term joint damage or arthritis as a punishment.

People Only Use 10% of Their Brain [0:49]

The myth that humans only use 10% of their brains is debunked by modern imaging techniques that show activity throughout the entire brain. While the specific functions of many regions remain unclear, all parts contribute to our overall cognitive abilities.

Eskimos Have Hundreds of Words for Snow [0:56]

While it is true that Inuit languages have numerous terms for snow, this can be misleading. These languages utilize compound words, combining shorter terms into longer ones, just as many languages do, including German. Thus, while there are many words, it is a grammatical feature present in many languages.

You Need 8 Glasses of Water a Day [1:40]

The guideline recommending drinking eight glasses of water daily lacks solid scientific backing. While hydration is important, the actual quantity of water needed varies based on individual circumstances and some research suggests that the eight-glass rule might even be excessive for some.

Tap Water is Bad but Bottled Water is Good [1:52]

The idea that bottled water is always better than tap water is misleading. In many countries, health regulations ensure the safety of tap water. Frequently, bottled water is simply tap water that has been repackaged and marked up significantly in price.

Gum Takes Seven Years to Digest [2:21]

The claim that gum takes seven years to pass through the digestive system is a myth. While it's not digestible, gum does not remain in the stomach for that long and will pass through the digestive system like other substances.

Blood in Your Veins is Blue [2:33]

It is a common misconception that blood in the veins is blue and only turns red when exposed to oxygen. In reality, blood is always red, regardless of its oxygen content. The blue appearance of veins is due to optical effects, not blood color.

Fan Death [3:02]

Fan death is a myth particularly prevalent in South Korea, where people believe that running a fan in a closed room can deplete oxygen and lead to asphyxiation. However, this idea is scientifically unfounded, and fan manufacturers include timers for cultural reasons, not safety.

People Swallow 8 Spiders a Year While Sleeping [3:24]

The notion that people swallow an average of eight spiders a year while sleeping is absurd. Spiders typically avoid humans, and their behavior makes this scenario highly unlikely. This myth is simply exaggerated and unfounded.