Kansans, You’ve Been Fooled: 11 Myths You Probably Still Think Are Real

Have you ever heard something so many times that you just assume it’s true? As it turns out, a lot of the “facts” we grew up believing are totally bogus.

Thanks to movies, TV shows, and people repeating them over and over, some myths refuse to die.

So, we’re here to set the record straight and bust some of the myths Kansans—and Americans as a whole—still believe today.

You Only Use 10% of Your Brain

Ever heard that humans only use 10% of their brain? And if we could unlock the rest, we’d be super-geniuses with telekinesis?

Brace yourself because it’s total nonsense. But thanks to movies like Lucy and Limitless, this myth just won’t die.

Here’s the truth—brain scans show we use all of our brain, even when we’re just hanging out. Different parts do different things, and even when you sleep, your brain is still working hard.

So, sorry, but you’re not about to unlock any hidden superpowers anytime soon.

Cracking Your Knuckles Causes Arthritis

How many times have you cracked your knuckles and had someone yell, “Stop! You’re gonna get arthritis!”?

Well, turns out that’s a total myth.

The popping sound isn’t your bones grinding together—it’s just gas bubbles in your joints popping.

Multiple studies have found zero connection between cracking your knuckles and arthritis. One researcher, Donald Unger, even cracked the knuckles on his left hand for over 50 years and left his right hand alone—no arthritis in either.

Dr. Unger literally won an IgNobel award for proving this. So go ahead, crack away!

The Great Wall of China is Visible from Space

If you think astronauts can spot the Great Wall of China from space, you’ve been lied to. The myth says it’s the only man-made thing visible from space, but guess what?

It’s actually really hard to see.

NASA says the Great Wall of China blends in too much with the landscape, making it nearly impossible to spot.

Meanwhile, things like airports, big highways, and cities glowing at night are way easier to see. So, next time someone tells you this myth, you can hit ‘em with the truth.

Goldfish Have a Three-Second Memory

Poor goldfish—they’ve been accused of being the dumbest pets ever for years. But the whole “three-second memory” thing?

Completely false.

Goldfish can actually remember things for months or even years. They can recognize their owners, learn tricks, and even associate sounds with food.

So, if you’ve ever felt bad for your pet goldfish thinking they forget you exist every few seconds, don’t worry—they remember you just fine.

Sugar Makes Kids Hyper

Parents love blaming sugar when their kids are bouncing off the walls, but here’s the deal—it’s not the sugar. It’s the situation.

Studies have debunked the whole “sugar rush” thing, and it turns out kids just get extra hyped when they’re at birthday parties, holidays, or other exciting events.

One study even gave kids sugar-free drinks but told parents they were full of sugar. Guess what? The parents still thought their kids were hyper. It’s all in their heads!

So, sugar itself isn’t turning your kid into a tornado—it’s just the excitement.

Toilets Flush in the Opposite Direction in Australia

Thanks to The Simpsons and pop culture, people love saying toilets in Australia flush the opposite way because of the Coriolis effect.

But nope, that’s not how it works.

The Coriolis effect does affect big things like hurricanes, but it’s way too weak to influence a tiny toilet bowl.

The way a toilet flushes actually depends on its design, not where you are in the world. So, if you ever go to Australia, don’t expect some magical reverse toilet swirl—it’s just not a thing.

Bats Are Blind

You’ve heard the phrase “blind as a bat,” right?

Well, it’s complete nonsense—bats aren’t blind at all! In fact, some bats have amazing eyesight, especially in low light.

Sure, some species rely more on echolocation to get around, but they still use their eyes.

So, next time someone says bats are blind, hit ‘em with the facts.

If You Drop a Penny from the Empire State Building, It Could Kill Someone

The idea that a penny dropped from the top of the Empire State Building would turn into a deadly missile is pure Hollywood nonsense.

While a penny would fall fast, air resistance would slow it down enough that it wouldn’t be dangerous.

A penny’s size and shape make it impossible for it to gain enough force to be lethal.

Sure, it might sting a little, but it’s not gonna crack anyone’s skull. That said, a ballpoint pen falling from the Empire State Building is the right size and shape to send someone to the hospital.

You Swallow Eight Spiders a Year While Sleeping

This one is just straight-up nightmare fuel. The idea that spiders are crawling into our mouths while we sleep?

Nope, not happening.

Spiders actually want nothing to do with your mouth. The vibrations from your breathing and snoring freak them out.

Plus, you’d probably wake up if something crawled into your mouth. So, sleep easy—no surprise spider snacks tonight.

Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice

People love saying “lightning never strikes the same place twice,” but that’s just plain wrong.

If anything, lightning loves hitting the same spots over and over—especially tall buildings and trees.

For example, the Empire State Building gets hit about 23 times a year!

So, if you see lightning hit something, don’t assume it’s safe now. It can absolutely strike the same place twice (or more).

Hair and Fingernails Keep Growing After Death

Creepy, right? But totally false.

It looks like hair and nails keep growing after death, but what’s really happening is that the skin dries out and shrinks, making them seem longer.