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7 Things Some People Still Believe Even Though It’s Been Scientifically Proven Otherwise
Man has reached the moon and will soon reach Mars as well, but some people still doubt what science is actually capable of. Even though science has proven itself on so many levels, some people still believe in conspiracy theories and legends that have been proven to be inaccurate, like the belief that the earth is flat.
At Bright Side, we’ve gathered a bunch of those theories that are still a thorn in humankind’s side. Being skeptical is one thing but being in denial about something that has been scientifically explained is what makes those theories truly bizarre.
1. The earth is flat.
It might sound extreme but some people still believe that planet Earth is flat, even though NASA used everything from GPS and satellites to images from space to make them change their minds. Their primary theory is based on an old map showing a square and stationary Earth. They believe that Earth is a disc, its center being the Arctic Circle and Antarctica, and everything else that has been said against this is considered a conspiracy theory.
Truth:
Nasa has taken dozens of pictures that vividly prove our planet is round. However, there are other ways to prove this to be true. The simplest way is to check the horizon or try climbing a tree. The higher you go up the tree, the farther you’ll be able to see. This is because of Earth’s curviness. If it was flat, the elevation wouldn’t change how far we could see.
2. The full moon affects our behavior, making us crazy.
This is a long-standing myth that some people still believe, claiming that most violent crimes happen during a full moon because the moon makes people crazy. Even police stations in the UK demand extra backup during a full moon.
Truth:
Well, that’s not true. Studies have shown that there is no actual connection between an increase in crime during a full moon even though this appears to actually happen. This correlation can be explained though because most of the time, a full moon falls on a holiday or weekend.
3. Vaccines aren’t a real thing.
In a recent survey, 45% of American adults asked about vaccines and their effectiveness answered negatively, doubting both the results and their safety. Thus, more and more people have stopped vaccinating their kids as well as themselves. According to the World Health Organization, vaccine hesitancy is listed as one of the top 10 threats to global health in 2019.
Truth:
Vaccines have saved and continue to save lives. A doctor explained the tragedy of diseases like Pertussis, which has been gone for almost a century, and says they’re back and are causing childhood deaths. There are safe and effective vaccines, he adds, to prevent these types of diseases, yet an increasing number of parents still decide not to vaccinate their kids.
4. Australia is fake and its inhabitants are actors.
There are a number of people who believe that Australia doesn’t exist. According to Ohio University, their theory says that when Australia was founded as a penal colony of the British, the truth is that Britain killed all its prisoners and there is no island that ever existed. The bizarre belief has been covered by several popular magazines.
Truth:
There is no need to explain this one. Of course, Australia exists and the view from a NASA satellite is the ultimate proof. Or you can simply get on a plane and go find out for yourself.
5. The Loch Ness Monster is real.
There are still people who believe in folklore about the Monster of Loch Ness. The giant creature is assumed to live in a lake in Loch Ness in Scotland. Everything started with a picture taken by a doctor who was visiting the area, and since then, many people claim to have seen it.
Truth:
Truly, there is no such thing as the Loch Ness Monster. At the time the photograph was taken, it was difficult to see that it was a fake photo. However, according to studies that took place later on, the photos appeared to be manufactured. Several biological scientists have also scouted the area gathering DNA and have found that what people have seen was likely a giant eel or a seal.
6. The moon has a dark side.
It is thought that because we’re not able to see 100% of the moon’s surface from Earth, the rest of it is frozen and dark with no sunlight. This misconception has likely grown because of a case study called tidal locking which makes the moon from Earth look like it’s not rotating.
Truth:
This theory can be disproven by the phases of the moon. While we’re admiring a full moon, the sun fully brightens the side of it that is visible to us. But when we see just parts of the moon, it means that the sunlight is falling on the other side of the moon, the part we cannot see. There’s no “dark side,” there’s just an Earth-facing side and a far side.
7. There’s no such thing as global warming.
It might sound unbelievable but some people still deny that global warming is real and that nature is not affected by the horrific changes humans have made to the environment. The Climate Change Sceptics, as the non-believers call themselves, fight science along with oil and industrial companies that are at the top of the list.
Truth:
There’s a vast number of studies which results prove that climate change is real and is caused by human activity. Greenhouse gas emissions are the primary cause of the warming of our planet. A scientific consensus on climate change exists with more than 11,600 articles and research results that prove global warming is evident and is affecting all of us.
Do you recall any myths or legends that your parents or grandparents used to tell you but have since been debunked? Share your stories in the comments.
Preview photo credit NASA attribution: “Visualizations by Lori Perkins”
