How You Were Fooled

Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice

This episode challenges the well-known saying that “lightning never strikes the same place twice.” While it’s often used as a metaphor for rare events, science shows the opposite is true.
Lightning seeks out the tallest, most conductive objects, and those spots are often hit repeatedly. Famous landmarks like the Empire State Building (struck 20–25 times a year) and the CN Tower (struck over 70 times annually) prove the myth wrong. Even mountains and tall trees experience repeated strikes over time.
The phrase originated in the 19th century as a poetic metaphor and stuck because it was catchy and memorable, not factual. However, believing it literally can be dangerous, as people may think a tree or building already struck is “safe.” In reality, the same location can be hit again within the same storm.
The takeaway? Lightning absolutely strikes the same place twice—and often more. The myth survives because of language and storytelling, but the science is clear: electricity follows the easiest path, even if that path has already been used.

Did Newton Really Discover Gravity by an Apple Falling on His Head?

This episode explores the famous legend of Isaac Newton’s “apple moment.” While the story of an apple hitting Newton on the head is widely told, it isn’t true. Newton did recall that watching an apple fall made him reflect on why objects always fall straight down, but the dramatic “bonk on the head” version was invented later to make the tale more entertaining.
The myth stuck because it’s a simple, vivid story that makes a complex discovery easy to grasp. In reality, Newton’s theory of gravity came from years of study in mathematics and astronomy, building on the work of thinkers like Galileo and Kepler. The apple wasn’t the cause of his genius, but rather a symbol of his ability to connect ordinary experiences with profound scientific questions.
The episode highlights how we were fooled by a good story—one that humanized Newton, simplified his achievement, and made science more accessible. The truth, though less dramatic, is even more impressive: Newton revolutionized our understanding of the universe not through a single accident, but through relentless study and insight.

The Flat Earth in the Middle Ages – Did People Really Believe It

This episode debunks the myth that people in the Middle Ages believed the Earth was flat. In reality, knowledge of a spherical Earth dates back to ancient Greece, with philosophers like Aristotle and Eratosthenes providing early evidence and calculations. Medieval scholars preserved and expanded on this knowledge, and by Columbus’s time, educated Europeans already accepted Earth’s roundness.
The “flat Earth Middle Ages” myth was actually invented in the 19th century. Writers like Washington Irving dramatized Columbus’s story, portraying him as a hero who defied flat-Earth believers. This narrative served as a way to contrast “ignorant” medieval superstition with “modern” enlightenment, and it stuck in popular imagination.
In truth, the real debate in 1492 was not about the Earth’s shape but about its size and whether ships could cross the ocean with available supplies. Columbus’s critics weren’t flat-Earth believers — they were concerned realists.
The episode highlights how a powerful storytelling device can overshadow facts, showing that myths endure not because they’re true but because they’re memorable. The flat Earth story says more about the 19th century than it does about the Middle Ages.

Do We Really Swallow Spiders in Our Sleep?

This episode debunks the disturbing myth that humans swallow eight spiders a year while asleep. The claim didn’t come from scientific research but from a 1990s article that used it as an example of how easily misinformation spreads. Ironically, the “example” itself became one of the internet’s most repeated fake facts.
Science makes it clear: spiders avoid humans, are scared by movement and vibrations, and find our mouths unattractive environments. The odds of one crawling inside while we sleep are close to zero. In reality, the number of spiders we swallow in our lifetimes is most likely none at all.
The myth stuck because it’s shocking, disgusting, and memorable — and because repetition made it feel true. Psychologists call this the illusory truth effect. Media, horror stories, and pop culture reinforced it further.
Ultimately, the episode shows how a creepy but catchy idea became accepted as “fact,” proving just how easily we can be fooled when fear and curiosity overpower evidence. The truth? You can sleep peacefully — no spiders are sneaking in.

Does Eating Before Swimming Really Increase Your Risk of Drowning?

This episode debunks the long-standing myth that swimming right after eating causes cramps and can lead to drowning. The belief likely originated in the early 20th century as a way for parents and instructors to keep kids safe, reinforced by the “wait 30 minutes before swimming” rule.
In reality, while digestion does increase blood flow to the stomach, it does not deprive the muscles of oxygen. Scientific studies, along with statements from organizations like the American Red Cross and Johns Hopkins, show that eating before swimming poses no danger of drowning. At worst, someone might feel a little sluggish or uncomfortable if they swim vigorously on a full stomach.
The myth persists because it sounds logical, it was repeated for generations, and it provided a simple way to enforce caution. The real risks in swimming come from alcohol use, fatigue, or lack of supervision, not from having a meal beforehand.
In short, you can safely swim after eating — the myth is nothing more than a well-intentioned but scientifically unfounded warning.

Vikings Wore Horned Helmets – Or Did They?

This episode uncovers the enduring myth that Vikings wore horned helmets, a stereotype popularized in art, theatre, and pop culture rather than history. Archaeological evidence shows that Viking helmets were practical, conical or rounded iron designs with no horns—horns would have been impractical in battle.
The false image took root in the 19th century during the Romantic era, when artists and Wagner’s operas used horned helmets for dramatic flair. This theatrical invention spread through literature, illustrations, and eventually Hollywood, cementing the myth in popular imagination.
In reality, the horned helmets belonged to earlier Bronze Age ceremonial rituals, not Viking warriors. The actual Vikings were remarkable sailors, traders, and storytellers whose influence stretched across Europe and beyond.
The horned helmet myth reminds us how symbolism and spectacle can rewrite history, fooling generations into mistaking artistic invention for fact. Vikings didn’t need horns to be legendary—their real achievements were far more impressive.

Did People Really Believe the World Would End in 2012 – The Mayan Calendar Misunderstood

This episode explores the widespread myth that the world would end on December 21, 2012, based on a misunderstanding of the Mayan Long Count calendar. While that date did mark the end of a significant calendar cycle (the 13th bʼakʼtun), the Maya saw it as a time of renewal, not an apocalypse.
The myth was fueled by Western misinterpretations, media hype, and pseudoscientific claims — including solar flares, magnetic pole reversals, and the fictional planet “Nibiru.” Hollywood further amplified the fear with the release of the movie 2012, turning speculation into sensationalism.
Although many didn’t take it seriously, some people built bunkers, joined survivalist groups, or altered life plans out of fear. NASA and scientists actively debunked the myths, but the idea persisted because of its emotional power and viral spread.
In the end, nothing happened on December 21, 2012. The episode highlights how fear, media, and misinterpreted history can combine to create global myths — and how easily we can be fooled when we stop questioning the facts.

Does Cracking Your Knuckles Cause Arthritis – A Popping Myth Busted

This episode busts the widespread myth that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis. Despite the alarming popping sound, science shows that knuckle cracking is caused by gas bubbles collapsing in joint fluid, not by bones grinding or joint damage.
Research, including a 60-year self-experiment by Dr. Donald Unger, found no link between knuckle cracking and arthritis. Medical institutions like the Arthritis Foundation and Johns Hopkins agree: the habit may be noisy or annoying, but it’s not harmful to your joints.
The myth persists because the sound seems damaging and arthritis is common, making it easy to falsely associate the two. While excessive or forceful cracking could cause minor swelling or reduced grip strength, it won’t cause arthritis.
In short, the myth is all noise — no damage.

The Great Wall of China Is Visible from Space

This episode debunks one of the most popular myths in pop culture: the belief that the Great Wall of China is the only man-made object visible from space. We explore how this misconception began—dating back to the 18th century—and how it spread through textbooks, media, and romanticized storytelling. In reality, astronauts and NASA confirm that the Great Wall is not visible to the naked eye from space due to its narrow width and color blending with the natural landscape. Instead, city lights, airports, and large dams are more easily visible from orbit. The episode highlights the importance of verifying information and being cautious of “facts” that sound impressive but are actually false.

Einstein and His Math Struggles – Did He Really Fail Math in School

Napoleon Bonaparte is famously remembered as a short man with a big ego, but historical records show he was actually around 5'6" to 5'7"—average height for a Frenchman in his time. The belief that he was unusually short came from a combination of measurement confusion (French vs. British units) and British wartime propaganda.
British cartoonists exaggerated his height to mock and undermine him during France’s conflicts with Britain, creating a lasting public image of Napoleon as a “tiny tyrant.” This stereotype stuck, eventually evolving into the term “Napoleon complex.”
The episode reveals how propaganda, repetition, and powerful imagery can distort historical truth, reminding us to question what we’ve long believed—especially when it sounds like the perfect story.
In reality, Napoleon’s small stature was just a big myth.