There was an interesting little article in the December 2006 issue of Wired about Fiction vs Fact for several things you’ve heard of before. Check out these excerpts from the article by Aria Pearson:
Fiction: If you fall into quicksand you’ll be sucked under and die.
Fact: You’ll only sink up to your waist.
Fiction: Sitting too close to the TV will ruin your eyes.
Fact: It causes fatigue but no permanent damage.
Fiction: Benjamin Franklin’s kite was struck by lightning.
Fact: The kite picked up electricity from the air, causing an arc between Franklin’s hand and a key tied to his end of the string.
Fiction: A penny dropped from the top of a skyscraper can kill someone.
Fact: It could never pick up enough velocity to kill, just to bang you up a little.
Fiction: Swimming after you eat will cause cramps and lead to drowning.
Fact: These is a very slight risk of cramps, but only for vigorous swimmers.
Fiction: There’s a dark side of the moon.
Fact: The entire lunar surface receives sunlight during the moon’s monthly orbit around Earth.
Fiction: Swallowed chewing gum takes seven years to digest.
Fact: Gum is not digested. It passes through the gastrointestinal system, usually within 24 hours.
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