Facts You Learned in School That Are Now Wrong

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Facts Boomers Learned in School That Are Dead Wrong (cheapism.com)

What We Learned in School That Just Isn’t True Anymore

Remember those “facts” you diligently memorized in school? Well, get ready for a reality check!

It turns out some of those deeply ingrained lessons have been thoroughly debunked by time, science, and a little thing called progress. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and see what “truths” the Baby Boomer generation (and maybe even some of us younger folks) were fed that didn’t quite stick.

Dietary Dogma: Fats Are Not Always the Enemy!

For decades, we were told to shun all fats like they were the villains of our diet. Heart disease?

Blame fat! But thankfully, nutritional science has evolved.

While we still need to be mindful of certain fats, we now know that healthy saturated fats, like those found in avocados, are actually essential for our well-being. So go ahead, enjoy that guacamole!

Rusty Nails and Tetanus: A Prickly Myth

Who didn’t grow up with the stern warning about stepping on a rusty nail and instantly getting tetanus? Turns out, the rust itself isn’t the culprit.

Tetanus is caused by the Clostridium tetani bacteria, which often thrives in soil and animal feces and can be found on any sharp object, rusty or not. So, while you still want to avoid punctures, it’s the bacteria, not the rust, you should be worried about.

North America’s Ego Trip: A Map Misconception

Ever felt like North America loomed a little too large on the world map? You weren’t wrong!

Boomers were educated with the Mercator projection, a map style that significantly distorts the size of continents, making North America and Europe appear much grander than their actual size compared to regions closer to the equator. No wonder we thought we were the center of the universe!

“I Before E, Except After C”: A Rule with Too Many Exceptions

This grammar rule was drilled into our heads, promising to simplify spelling. And while it works about 75% of the time, the English language, being the tricky beast it is, throws a wrench in the works with words like “height” and “vein.” It’s enough to make anyone learning English want to tear their hair out!

Farewell, Pluto: The Ninth Planet No More

For generations, “My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas” helped us remember the order of the planets. But in 2006, Pluto got the boot from the planetary club and was reclassified as a dwarf planet. A sad day for many a mnemonic device!

The Fading Art of Cursive

Before the age of keyboards and touchscreens, learning cursive was a rite of passage. Now, with typing dominating our communication, the elegant loops and swirls of cursive writing have largely been abandoned in school curricula.

Gender Stereotypes in the Classroom: Math for Boys, Art for Girls?

Remember when schools subtly (or not so subtly) suggested boys excelled at math and science, while girls were better suited for art and domestic skills? Thankfully, those outdated gender barriers are crumbling, and we’re seeing more equitable encouragement for all students in every field.

The Double-Space Debate: A Typographical Relic

If you learned to type on a typewriter, two spaces after a period was standard practice to ensure readability. But with the advent of computers and proportional fonts, a single space is now the accepted norm. Old habits die hard for some, though!

Littering: From Casual Act to Criminal Offense

Decades ago, tossing a soda can out the car window might not have raised an eyebrow. But by the 1970s, growing environmental awareness led to legislation across all states, making littering a punishable offense. Good riddance to that old habit!

“It’s a Free Country!”: A Relative Freedom

While the phrase “it’s a free country” might be a go-to retort for defiant kids, the reality is that the U.S. doesn’t top the charts in global freedom indices. We currently tie with the U.K. at #17 on the Human Freedom Index, proving that freedom is a nuanced concept.

Pregnancy Practices: A Shocking Shift

It’s hard to imagine now, but not so long ago, it was common for pregnant women to smoke and drink. Today, medical consensus strongly advises against any alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy due to severe health risks for the baby. We’ve certainly come a long way in understanding prenatal care.

Marijuana: The “Gateway Drug” Myth

The idea that smoking pot inevitably leads to harder drugs was a scare tactic more than a scientific truth. While drug use can be complex, the “gateway drug” theory has largely been debunked as an oversimplification designed to deter any substance use.

Ending Sentences with Prepositions: A Grammatical Liberation

“Don’t end a sentence with a preposition!” was a rule rigidly enforced by English teachers of yore.

Thankfully, language evolves, and this once-taboo practice is now widely accepted. So feel free to ask, “Who are you going to the movie with?”

without fear of grammatical judgment.

“Milk Does a Body Good”: A Half-Truth

We were all told to drink milk for strong bones. While calcium is indeed crucial for bone health, the blanket statement that dairy is the only or best source, and that it “does a body good,” has been challenged. Some studies even suggest dairy consumption might have negative health implications for certain individuals.

Abe Lincoln: Not Always the “Great Emancipator”

While Abraham Lincoln is revered for ending slavery, his initial stance was more complex. He was at one point willing to tolerate slavery if it meant preserving the Union. It was a shifting political landscape and his evolving views that solidified his legacy as the Great Emancipator.

Creationism vs. Evolution: A School Curriculum Shift

Depending on your era and location, you might have been taught the Creation theory, believing a higher power brought the universe into existence. Today, public education largely focuses on the Evolution theory, which posits that life evolved from common ancestors over billions of years.

Mental Health: From “Loony Bin” to Therapy Couch

The understanding and treatment of mental health have undergone a monumental transformation. What was once dismissed as “not right in the head” or led to institutionalization is now recognized as treatable conditions. With advancements in psychotherapy and pharmaceuticals, individuals with mental illnesses can lead fulfilling lives.

“You’re Gonna Use That Math!”: A Questionable Promise

How many parents have uttered this phrase to motivate their kids through algebra? While some professions demand advanced math, for many, calculators and software have made intricate calculations less of a daily necessity.

So that trigonometry you slogged through? Maybe not as essential as promised.

Blue Blood: A Visual Illusion

The myth of “blue blood” in veins, turning red upon contact with oxygen, was a common childhood belief. In reality, blood is always red; veins appear blue through the skin due to how light is absorbed and reflected.

Convenience Foods: A Healthier-Than-Thou Deception

When frozen meals and other convenience foods hit the market in the 1960s, they were hailed as revolutionary. However, we’ve since learned that many of these processed items, laden with preservatives and artificial ingredients, are far from the healthiest choices for our bodies.

The Ever-Changing Food Pyramid (or Plate!)

Remember the 7 food groups from the 1940s? Then came the Food Pyramid, which then evolved into MyPlate. Our understanding of balanced nutrition is constantly refined, emphasizing plenty of fruits and vegetables while advising moderation for fats and refined carbohydrates.

Formula vs. Breast Milk: A Reversal of Fortunes

In the 1950s, formula was promoted as a modern, equally nutritious alternative to breastfeeding, which was deemed old-fashioned. Today, we understand the immense health benefits of breast milk for both infant and mother, and breastfeeding is widely encouraged.

Space: Not Entirely Gravity-Free

Astronauts floating in space might give the impression of zero gravity, but that’s not quite accurate. They’re actually in a continuous state of freefall around Earth. Gravity is omnipresent, even in space, though its pull far from a planetary body is significantly weaker.

Ben Franklin and the Kite: A Shocking Twist

The iconic tale of Ben Franklin discovering electricity with a kite and a key is a popular myth. While Franklin theorized about capturing electrical charges, others later used his scientific principles to actually harness electricity. So, less “discovery” and more “brilliant theory.”

The “13 Colonies” Conundrum: A Historical Detail

We’ve all learned about the 13 American Colonies, but did you know that at the outset of the Revolution, there were technically only 12? Delaware was originally part of Pennsylvania before declaring its independence from both Pennsylvania and Great Britain. A historical detail that often gets overlooked!

Doctors Endorsing Cigarettes: A Dark Chapter in History

Perhaps one of the most shocking “facts” of the past was doctors openly recommending cigarettes. Advertising campaigns of yesteryear featured medical professionals endorsing specific brands, a stark contrast to today’s understanding of the devastating health effects of smoking.

America: Not the Sole Inventor of Democracy

While the United States undoubtedly popularized and championed democracy on a global scale, it wasn’t our invention. The ancient Greeks are credited with developing democratic principles as far back as 507 B.C., where citizens had a direct role in governing their country.

The Moon’s “Dark Side”: A Pink Floyd Fable

Sorry, Pink Floyd fans, but there’s no permanently “dark side” of the moon. This common misconception stems from the fact that we always see the same face of the moon from Earth due to tidal locking. However, the sun shines on all parts of the moon over its rotational cycle.

Edison and the Lightbulb: A Bright Idea, Shared Credit

Thomas Edison is often solely credited with inventing the lightbulb, but the truth is more nuanced. He refined and commercialized the electric light, building upon the work of numerous scientists who contributed to the development of the concept.

It was a collective effort, not a singular “aha!” moment.

Ulcers: Stress Isn’t Always the Culprit

For a long time, stress and spicy foods were blamed for causing stomach ulcers. However, medical science has now definitively proven that most ulcers are caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, revolutionized treatment and prevention.

It seems that the pursuit of knowledge is an ongoing journey, constantly revising and refining what we once held as undeniable truths. What “facts” do you remember learning that have since been debunked?