Protecting Yourself from Myths and Misconceptions

A little learning is a dangerous thing;  Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking largely sobers us again.
Alexander Pope:	Essay on Criticism. Part ii. Line 15.

Or, if you prefer the vernacular,

It ain't what a man knows that gets him in trouble, it's what he thinks he knows, but just ain't so.   (Will Rogers)

Here are some links to a few excellent lists of common fallacies -- things everyone "thinks he knows" that "just ain't so".  Being ambivalent on these topics is OK -- but the deadly one-two punch of (1) thinking you're an expert, and (2) acting woth conviction on your false expertise, can definitely get you into trouble!

1. Gas Saving Myths
2. Tornado Safety Myths
3. Myths about Health (emphasizing women's health)
4. Science Myths in K-6 Textbooks and Popular Culture (see also the Packard Foundation Report)
5. Stock Market Myths (lots of competing lists; this is a reasonably thought-out one.)

I'll add more as the week goes on.

Comments

[Tom]

The gas saving one is a bit misleading when it comes to the AC's affect on your milage. My '99 Saturn goes from about 33.5 to 31 when I have my AC on, and it's a 1999. I were driving around with my windows down, the extra drag would almost certainly hurt more - but if it isn't too hot, I just put the fan on.