How You Were Fooled

How You Were Fooled

By Misty LiebischEducationSelf-Improvement
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How You Were Fooled episodes

  • Episode 8: 8: 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.

    5 min
  • Episode 7: 7: 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.

    5 min
  • Episode 6: 6: 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.

    5 min
  • Episode 5: 5: Einstein and His Math Struggles – Did He Really Fail Math in School

    The popular belief that Albert Einstein failed math in school is a myth. In reality, Einstein was exceptionally gifted in mathematics from a young age—mastering algebra, geometry, and even calculus before the age of 15.

    The myth likely originated from a 1935 Ripley’s Believe It or Not! article, combined with mistranslations of grading systems. In Switzerland, the highest grade was a “6,” but when Einstein received this score, it was misread as a failing mark due to confusion with the German system.

    Einstein did struggle with rigid schooling and rote memorization, which led some to label him a poor student. However, in math and physics, he was consistently ahead of his peers.

    This myth persists because it's comforting and inspirational—a reminder that even geniuses can struggle. But in truth, Einstein never failed math. He was, and remains, one of the greatest scientific minds in history.

    5 min
  • Episode 4: 4: Napoleon Wasn’t That Shor

    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.

    4 min
  • Episode 3: 3: The 10% Brain Myth
    Many people believe that humans only use 10% of their brains, but modern neuroscience has completely debunked this myth. Brain imaging studies show that we use 100% of our brain, just not all at the same time—different regions activate for different tasks, even when we’re resting or sleeping.

    This myth likely originated from misinterpreted early research, false attributions to Albert Einstein, and Hollywood movies that portray "unlocking" more of the brain as a way to gain superhuman abilities. In reality, neurons are constantly active, and brain injuries prove that every part of the brain serves a crucial function.

    The 10% myth persists because it’s an exciting idea—it suggests we have untapped potential waiting to be unlocked. But while human potential is vast, it’s not because 90% of our brain is unused. Instead, we already use our full brain capacity in different ways.

    This episode highlights how misinformation spreads when it is repeated often enough, even when it’s scientifically false. The truth? Your brain is already working at full power—you just need to use it wisely.



    4o
    5 min
  • Episode 2: 2: Goldfish Memory Myth

    Many people believe that goldfish have a 3-second memory, but science has proven this to be completely false. Studies show that goldfish can remember things for months or even years, recognize their owners, learn to navigate mazes, and associate sounds or colors with feeding times.

    The myth likely originated from misconceptions about fish behavior, as goldfish swimming in small tanks may appear to repeat their actions mindlessly. Over time, the idea spread through media, cartoons, and popular culture, reinforcing the false belief that goldfish are unintelligent.

    In reality, goldfish have demonstrated learning abilities, problem-solving skills, and long-term memory, proving that they are far smarter than we once thought. This episode highlights how easy it is for misinformation to become widely accepted and reminds us to always question what we believe to be true.

    5 min
  • Episode 1: 1: The Great Sugar Lie
    For decades, we were led to believe that fat was the enemy, causing heart disease and obesity. This idea, largely based on flawed research from the 1950s, led to a surge in low-fat products. However, what we weren’t told was that the sugar industry played a major role in shaping this narrative.

    In the 1960s, sugar companies funded studies that downplayed the dangers of sugar while shifting the blame to fat. As a result, food manufacturers replaced fat with sugar, making so-called "healthy" foods even more harmful. Meanwhile, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease rates skyrocketed.

    The truth? Fat is not the enemy—our bodies need it for brain function, hormone production, and overall health. Instead, excessive sugar consumption is a key contributor to many modern health issues.

    This episode exposes how we were fooled into fearing fat while unknowingly consuming more sugar, shaping decades of misguided dietary habits. It’s time to question what we’ve been told and make choices based on truth, not industry-driven deception.

    5 min

About How You Were Fooled

From the publisher's feed

Every day, we take in countless facts, ideas, and beliefs—many of which we assume to be true. But what if some of them were never true at all? "How You Were Fooled" dives into the myths,…