Showing posts with label Myths. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Myths. Show all posts

Friday, July 17, 2026

What are some myths that most people believe to be true thanks to movies?

1 – It's easy to break a chair, table, or other furniture with your back.

To understand the absurdity of this situation, one only needs to recall the typical injuries from domestic accidents. What unpleasant sensations we experience as soon as we stub our little toe on the sofa… Our backs, after breaking a table, will hurt no less. At best, the person will suffer a couple of bruises, and at worst, a fractured vertebra.

2 – Jumping from a great height into a haystack/trash can is “safe”

Students at the University of Leicester (United Kingdom) calculated the chances of survival for people performing the so-called "leap of faith" from a one-and-a-half-meter-deep haystack. Based on their data, a jump from a height of 12 to 13 meters (3-4 stories) can already cause serious damage.

3 – A cigarette butt can cause gasoline to burn.

In theory, you can start gasoline with a cigarette, however, the cigarette must be in a person's mouth. When thrown, it doesn't have the necessary temperature to cause a fire upon contact with gasoline.

4 – After a blow to the back of the neck, the person loses consciousness, but afterwards feels as if nothing had happened.

Loss of consciousness after a blow to the head is a sign of serious brain damage. The least that can happen to a person in this type of situation is a concussion (brain injury caused by a blow to the head). Upon awakening, the victim will experience, at a minimum, nausea, dizziness, confusion, and other unpleasant symptoms.

5 – If liquid nitrogen is poured on a person, it will disperse into chunks of ice.

When liquid nitrogen comes into contact with the skin, it does indeed cause a very cold effect. But freezing a human completely by pouring a bucket of this substance on them is impossible.

6 – The character can throw themselves against a pane of glass and break it without getting cut.

Window glass isn't that easy to break. In movies, for this type of scene, they use fake sugar glass, whose fragments fly impressively without causing damage. In real life, a person might not be able to break the window and, if successful, at least risks serious injury.

7 - It's easy to kill a person in the water.

Water is 800 times denser than air. Any object moving in water experiences great resistance to its movement, decreasing its speed. To escape a gunshot, it is enough for a person to dive, even to a shallow depth. And due to the refraction of light, it is difficult to hit the target if it is underwater.

8 – A powerful explosion a few meters from the character causes no damage.

In reality, the damage to the protagonist can be caused not only by the explosion itself, but also by the shockwave. It is capable of destroying enormous buildings and damaging the internal organs of a person nearby. The energy of this wave depends on the type of explosive and the location where the explosion occurs. Even the creation of a pressure slightly higher than the normal atmospheric shockwave can take a person's life.

9 – The bulletproof vest makes the hero invulnerable.

Lightweight bulletproof vests that are not visible under clothing cannot protect against rifle fire. Most of them are capable of protecting against a weapon, but they also do not prevent injuries. Bruises and broken ribs are common consequences of a bullet penetrating a vest.

10 – Another person makes an excellent bulletproof shield.

Bullets from some pistols penetrate deep enough to go through two people. But projectiles from other types of weapons are capable of passing through even more complex targets. For example, a shot from a revolver can pierce three cast-iron pans

Thursday, July 9, 2026

What are some myths that could get you killed one day if you don't know the truth?

 1. Drink cactus water if you are lost in the desert.

In fact, if you're lost in the desert and thirsty, hang in there. Drinking cactus water is a myth that can kill you, since the liquid from these plants – besides being quite difficult to extract – contains toxins that will make things worse for you, causing vomiting and cramps.

2. If a shark attacks, punch it in the nose.

Myth and death! The truth is that water slows you down considerably, and if you hit the animal in the nose, the chances of it becoming more irritated than stunned are much higher.

Ideally, you shouldn't expose yourself to this type of danger; however, if a shark attack ever happens, attack the animal's eyes and gills as quickly as possible with something sharp. This may prevent the shark from killing you.

3. In case of an earthquake, take cover under the door frame.

This is another myth that can kill anyone who tries it. That's because in modern constructions, door frames or portals are fragile and cannot withstand the impact of the rest of the building collapsing. In the past, however, the myth was even valid, since door frames were very resistant. Nowadays, it's better to run under a table.

4. If bitten by a snake, suck out the venom.

According to Strauss, this is a myth and attempting it is pointless, as snake venom can spread rapidly through the bloodstream. Furthermore, trying to suck the venom from the open wound can introduce bacteria to the injured area, further increasing the risk of death.

The only thing you can really do is try to stay calm to reduce your heart rate and buy time until you reach a doctor who can administer the appropriate antivenom.

5. If stabbed, remove the object.

Please don't do that, it could kill you! This is another fatal myth, as removing a knife, arrow, or any other sharp and/or pointed object can cause further injuries and lead to severe bleeding.

In such situations, the best thing to do is remain still until a doctor or firefighter removes the object from your body correctly, in a place where the necessary first aid can be administered.

6. If lost in a frozen place, eat snow to stave off hunger.

Instead of starvation, this myth can kill you. In a cold place, to the point of having snow everywhere, your body temperature will already be low. If you then eat the snow, it's very likely that your temperature will drop even further.

The most you can do in these cases is try to melt the ice and drink the liquid at a more suitable temperature.

7. During thunderstorms, lie down on the ground outdoors.

Absolutely don't do that. Lightning can strike the ground and kill you with the electrical discharge, burning your body or causing a heart attack. So, forget that myth and try running crouched down, especially if it's in a tight space.

This is because lightning rarely strikes moving objects, even more so if they are lower than other exposed and stationary objects, such as trees (under which you should also never stand).

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Which airplane myths are totally false?

 All these myths are related to giving birth on an airplane.

Myth 1) The child will obtain world citizenship.

Myth 2) The child obtains citizenship of the country the plane is flying over.

Myth 3) The child automatically becomes a citizen of the country in which the airline is registered.

Fact - In 99% of cases a newborn obtains the citizenship of his parents.

Myth 4) Most airlines give a child a free lifetime ticket if he or she is born on their plane.

Fact - No airline has confirmed that it is a hard and fast rule to give away free tickets for life, although this is an individual decision by the airline and not a consensus.

Another fact: Births on airplanes are very rare, especially since pregnant women cannot fly after a certain week (mostly 36). However, there are some cases of premature births on board.

Don't even think about giving birth on a plane with free tickets, because the crew isn't fully trained in childbirth. You'll have unnecessary complications during delivery and probably won't get free plane tickets. And forget about citizenship.

Monday, June 22, 2026

What are some survival myths that are completely wrong and could be life-threatening?

  • Don't try to escape from a deserted island. You'll almost certainly die before anyone finds you.
  • In Australia, there's no need to try to identify or catch the snake that bit you. The antitoxin is the same worldwide.
  • "Punching the biggest guy on your first day in prison" is not a good idea for survival there.
  • If you're driving during a tornado warning, don't get out of your car and go to the side of an overpass to "hide under it." This myth became famous from an amateur video of a man and his daughter hiding under an overpass, but the overpass they chose had an unusual structure that saved them. Wind speed increases as you get closer to the ground, and the narrow passage creates a wind tunnel effect, which can also send debris picked up by the tornado flying straight up at speeds of over 200 miles per hour.
  • If you were ever stranded on a deserted island, building a raft and sailing to civilization is not a wise strategy. You would likely never be found, or you would become extremely dehydrated and almost certainly die. You should stay on the island and be found alive.
  • If you get lost or your car breaks down, walk to a safe place. Stay in your car. Your car will always be found, but you alone may not be. Unless there is an imminent danger such as a wildfire or flood, stay put. Walking around consumes a lot of energy and increases the risk of injury or getting lost again. Your car is a safe haven and is much easier for rescuers to find.
  • Do not drink "cactus water." It is not potable and may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and further dehydration.
  • If you are truly suffering from diarrhea, simply drinking water is not enough; you are also losing large amounts of salt and electrolytes, and failing to replenish them can lead to serious problems.
  • "To find water, follow the birds in flight." They're everywhere.

Thursday, June 18, 2026

What are some myths about countries that are wrong?

 China is the most populous country

The majority of the world's population lives in China, but China is not the most densely populated country. For example, Germany and Italy are more densely populated.

The problem is, despite its large population, the People's Republic of China has one of the largest land areas in the world. But about two-thirds of this area is mountains and desert.

Myth #10

Sumo is the most popular sport in Japan

In recent years, this traditional sport has become even more popular. However, sumo is less popular than baseball. Half of all people there who play sports prefer baseball .

Myth #9

Italians eat as much as they want and don't get fat.

Of course, this is not the most burning issue in Italy, but it is not true that all Italians eat a big bowl of pasta and drink a bottle of wine a day, and still stay slim.

According to statistics, 1 in 5 Italians suffers from obesity. And childhood obesity is a real problem in the Apennines, compared to other parts of Europe.

Myth #8

Great Britain is a rainy country

The UK isn't the driest place, but it does experience excessive rainfall. Although some areas have a truly humid climate, London receives less rainfall per year than Moscow.

Myth #7

All citizens of the United Arab Emirates are very rich

The indigenous people are actually wealthy. But about 85% of the population there are immigrants. In fact, about two-thirds of Arabs living in the UAE come from neighboring countries.

Of course, an IT specialist and a top manager can afford a good quality of life, but ordinary blue- and white-collar workers live in very poor conditions in this very expensive country.

Myth #6

Rio de Janeiro is the capital of Brazil

Rio de Janeiro was the capital for almost 200 years, but in 1960, the capital was moved to Brasília, a city founded for this purpose. Today, Rio isn't even the largest city; São Paulo is much larger.

Myth #5

In Germany, people are very punctual and everything goes according to schedule.

Punctuality is part of German culture, but as is the case worldwide, old cultural boundaries and traditions are disappearing. Many projects fail to meet deadlines, and according to statistics, about one-third of all trains in Germany are late.

Myth #4

Bullfighting is the most popular entertainment in Spain

Bullfighting is still held in many Spanish cities, but its popularity is not as high. Most visitors are tourists. Under pressure from activists, the Catalan Parliament banned bullfighting in the region, including Barcelona.

Myth #3

Australia is a land of eternal summer

Most people live in the Southern Hemisphere, in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Adelaide. For example, in winter, temperatures can reach 32°F (0°C) in Canberra. Furthermore, much of the continent is mountainous, covered in snow in the winter.

Myth #2

Romania is a Gypsy country

Monday, May 4, 2026

What are the biggest myths about cricket?

 Myth #1: Whenever Sachin Tendulkar scored a century, India mostly lost the match.

Fact: In the 49 ODI matches Tendulkar scored a century, India won 33 and lost only 14 with two no results match. This means India won 67% of the ODI matches when SRT scored a century.

In tests, out of the 51 centuries SRT has, India have won/drawn 40 of them! Which means India won 79% of the test matches when SRT scored a century.


Myth #2: Sourav Ganguly has never won a major ICC tournament.

Fact: Ganguly did win a major ICC tournament. Way back in 2002, India and Sri Lanka were crowned as joint winners of the Champions Trophy.


Myth #3: Only four Indians →Uthappa, Kohli, Rahul and Gaikwad have won the orange cap in the IPL.

Fact: Tendulkar won the orange cap too in IPL 2010.


Myth #4: The highest number of runs conceded in an over is 37.

Fact: In a domestic match of New Zealand, 77 runs were conceded in an over by RH Vance.

Monday, March 16, 2026

What are your favorite legends and myths about Hindu temples?

 Pancharama Kshetras are so called, after the 5 temples dedicated to Shiva, in Coastal Andhra. All the Shivalingas at the five temples were derived from a single Linga. Apparently this massive Shiva Linga, was owned by the Asura ruler Tarakasura, which made him practically invincible. It was finally Kumara Swamy who attacked Tarakasura and used his Shakti to kill him. However Kumara Swamy discovered that the torn apart pieces of Tarakasura’s body, would rejoin again and again, frustrating his efforts. It was then Vishnu advised him to break the Shiva Lingam, which Taraka was wearing into 5 pieces.He also cautioned Kumara Swamy, that the pieces of the Linga would again reunite, so they should be fixed to the spot.

Soon Kumara Swamy, used the Aagnesthra, the fire weapon, to break the Shiva Linga, and then Surya fixed those pieces, by fastening them with nails and building temples over them. If one notices the five Shivalingas here have scaly markings, believed to be due to the Agneshtra. Now the five different temples are collectively called as Pancharamas( 5 places of rest).

Amararamam, is located at Amaravati, in Guntur district, and the reigning deity is Amaralingeswara Swamy. The name comes from the fact that Amarendra installed the Shiva Linga here. Located on the Southern bank of the Krishna River, Bala Chamundika is the consort of Amaralingeswara Swamy. The temple is noted for it’s massive Shiva Linga, that covers two floors

The temple was developed by Vasireddy Venkatadri Naidu, the ruler of Dharanikota, and a devotee of Amaralingeswara. It was also a penace for him, to atone for his act of massacring the Chenchus, in order to put down a revolt. He not only renovated the temple, but also appointed 9 Archakas, provided them with the means of livelihood.

Draksharama located in East Godavari district, near the town of Ramachandrapuram, is also the most picturesque, surrounded by lush green paddy fields. Shiva here is called as Bhimeswara Swamy, and the Shiva Linga was believed to be installed by Surya himself . It is believed that Draksharama was where the infamous Daksha Yagna took place, and that is the reason no yagna happens at this temple. It is also called as Dakshina Kasi, and Shakti here is Manikyamba Ammavaru. The pond here is believed to contain the waters of the Sapta Godavari.

The Shiva Linga at Draksharama again is quite tall, and one part of it lies in the basement floor, only the top part is seen.Another legend of Draksharama goes that the outer wall could not be completed in time, to date it still remains incomplete.The Draksharama Temple is one of the oldest in Andhra, dating back to 10th century, built by Bhima, the Eastern Chalukya king of Vengi.

Somarama located at Bhimavaram, is the 3rd of the Pancharamas, and the Shiva Linga here is believed to be installed by Chandra. The front of the temple has a pond called Chandrakundam covered with flowers. It’s believed that Chandra, got rid of his sins by worshipping Shiva here, and hence the name Somaramam one of the Pancharamas.The unique aspect about the Shivalinga at Somarama, is that it keeps changing it’s color, based on the phases of the moon.During Pournami, the Shivlinga at Somarama turns full white in color, and during Amavasya, it turns a shade of black.A very unique aspect of this temple is that the temple of Annapurna, is built on top of the Shiva temple, which you do not find anywhere. Shakti is worshiped here as Sri Rajarajeswari Ammavaru.

Ksheerarama Temple at Palakollu in West Godavari,is where Shiva is worshipped as Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy is believed that Upamanyu, son of Kaushika, requested Shiva for desired quantity of milk for ritual, and the Pushkarni overflowed with milk, which also accounts for name of Palakollu(Palu is the Telugu word for Milk).

It is believed that Vishnu installed the Shiva Linga here, and Shakti is worshipped as Parvati Ammavaru. It is noted for it’s tall gopuram, and the temple itself covers around nine floors. The Shiva Linga here itself is milky white, and the mandapa with 72 black pillars is worth a visit. Palakollu is located on the Gosthani, one of the tributaries of Godavari river, surrounded by lush green paddy fields.

The Kumara Rama temple at Samarlakota, in E.Godavari dist, is the last of the Pancharamas, Shiva Linga here was installed by Karthikeya. Shiva is worshipped as Kumara Bhimeswara Swamy here and his consort is Bala Tripura Sundari. The temple was built during the time of the Chalukya ruler Bhima, hence the name too.The Shiva Linga at Kumara Rama is around 16 ft tall, rises to two floors and is made entirely of limestone.Again the temple is famous for it’s 100 pillar mandapa and an Ekasila Nandi at the entrance.