In this piece, we will investigate misleading facts rooted in urban legends and folklore, spanning culture, politics, education, and home life. We'll reflect on tales shared by parents and those experienced in childhood, as well as examine widely circulated falsehoods, some of which have been debunked for years. Furthermore, we will analyze prevalent forms of communication in society, including films, television, and the internet.

A penny dropped from the Empire State Building can kill a person below

This is a commonly shared myth among children and frequently repeated by visitors to New York City. The belief is that dropping a penny from the Empire State Building would accelerate enough to fatally injure someone on the sidewalk.

As with many myths, there is a small kernel of truth here. Falling objects, even seemingly harmless ones, can inflict significant harm, which is why construction workers wear hard hats. A heavy object, like a 50-gram bolt, could indeed be lethal if it falls from a great height.

However, a 1-gram penny falling from the Empire State Building would reach around 100 miles per hour upon impact, delivering less than 1 foot-pound of energy, which is likely to cause only a minor injury.

In contrast, a heavier object, such as a 50-gram nut, could achieve a terminal velocity of about 250 miles per hour, generating around 100 foot-pounds of energy upon impact, enough to be fatal unless protective gear is worn.

In 2015, the TV show Mythbusters conducted an experiment, firing a penny at 64.4 miles per hour—equivalent to the speed a penny would hit the ground from the Empire State Building. They found it caused minimal damage to a ballistics dummy and was not lethal when shot at each other.

Ultimately, this myth is unfounded; a penny does not possess the necessary velocity to cause significant harm when dropped from such a height.

It is still unwise to drop a penny from above, as it could hurt someone, but it certainly won't lead to a fatality. It’s best to keep your change instead.

Lightning never strikes the same place twice

This assertion is not just incorrect, it is also dangerous. In reality, lightning can and does strike the same location multiple times. If you find yourself outdoors during a lightning storm, no experienced outdoorsman would suggest standing in a spot that has previously been struck, as it does not offer protection. Instead, seek shelter, avoid windows, and refrain from touching metal or electrical objects.

Bananas grow on trees

While bananas grow on plants that resemble trees, they are not technically trees. The banana plant is the largest perennial herb in the world, reaching heights of up to 25 feet. Upon close inspection, one will notice that it lacks the woody structure typical of trees. Interestingly, bananas are classified as berries, as they do not produce mature seeds. So, could a banana split be termed an "herb berry" sundae?

Humans possess more than five senses

In addition to the five commonly recognized senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell), humans have at least four additional senses that are seldom mentioned: proprioception (awareness of body position), thermoception (temperature perception), equilibrioception (balance), and interoception (awareness of internal physiological states). So next time someone mentions their "five senses," you can confidently claim you possess "nine senses," allowing for an intriguing conversation.

We utilize only 10 percent of our brains

The origin of the "10 percent myth" is uncertain, but it is often traced back to a misinterpretation of psychologist William James's 1907 statement about using a small portion of our mental and physical capabilities.

In truth, various regions of the brain are active continuously. While it is possible to unlock untapped potential through learning and memory, that does not imply that the brain's gray matter is idle. Brain research shows that most areas of the brain remain active throughout the day, even during sleep.

According to neurologist John Henley from the Mayo Clinic, "Evidence would show over a day you use 100 percent of the brain." Even during rest, significant areas of the brain remain engaged.

Scientific understanding of brain function remains limited, with only 10 percent of brain cells being neurons, while the remaining 90 percent are glial cells that support neuron function, though their roles are still largely unknown. Ultimately, it is not that we only use 10 percent of our brains; rather, our understanding of how they operate is limited.

Sharks do not get cancer

Sharks can and do develop cancer, albeit infrequently. They possess a compound known as an "angiogenin inhibitor," which hinders tumors from forming blood vessels necessary for waste processing, thereby causing tumors to perish. However, this does not mean sharks can cure cancer in themselves or others, nor have any human applications for this compound been established.

Bulls are enraged by the color red

Though bullfighting is now banned in many nations, the image of a bullfighter wielding a red cape has been ingrained in popular culture, leading to the belief that the color incites bulls to attack. In reality, bulls, like other cattle, are partially color-blind and do not perceive red. They are, however, defensive creatures that may charge when feeling threatened or provoked. The matador's actions, not the color of the cape, incite the bull’s aggression.

Touching a baby bird will cause the mother to reject it

Most birds possess a limited sense of smell, rendering them unable to detect if their chicks have been handled by humans. If you encounter a baby bird on the ground, it is likely learning to fly and should not be disturbed. This myth may have originated from well-meaning individuals attempting to return fallen chicks to their nests. Moreover, approaching a baby bird might provoke a protective mother bird, leading to aggressive behavior.

House flies live for only 24 hours

Lifespan varies widely among species, including within the same species. Contrary to the myth, house flies can live for up to a month, far exceeding the average lifespan attributed to them. This misconception may stem from confusion with mayflies, which can indeed live for a mere 24 hours.

Ostriches bury their heads in the sand when frightened

This is a common myth about animal behavior that deserves scrutiny. While ostriches may not be the brightest of birds, they do not bury their heads in the ground. Instead, they can run at speeds up to 31 mph, making them capable of evading many predators. If flight is not an option, they may resort to playing dead as a defense mechanism.

Humans lose most body heat through their heads

Parents often advise children to cover their heads in cold weather, believing that the majority of body heat is lost through the head. This notion is a myth, likely originating from military experiments in the 1950s. Research has shown that only about 7 to 10 percent of heat loss can be attributed to the head, with overall heat loss being proportional to the body's surface area exposed.

In conclusion, it is prudent to wear a hat in cold conditions, but the idea that the head is the primary source of heat loss is inaccurate.

Final Thoughts

Today, we've uncovered some common misconceptions:

• A penny dropped from the Empire State Building does not pose a lethal threat.
• Lightning can strike the same place multiple times.
• Bananas grow on the largest perennial herb, not trees.
• Humans have more than five senses.
• The brain operates at full capacity, contrary to the 10 percent myth.
• Sharks can develop cancer, though infrequently.
• Bulls do not react to the color red.
• Touching a baby bird does not prevent the mother from caring for it.
• House flies live longer than 24 hours.
• Ostriches do not bury their heads; they may play dead when threatened.
• Humans do not lose the majority of their heat through their heads.

Thank you for reading! We will reconnect in our next episode with more intriguing false facts.

To conclude, here’s a quote from Mark Twain: "Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn’t."

False Facts is authored by brothers Frank & Paul Racioppi. Frank is a writer from New Jersey and the author of multiple nonfiction works. He also edits a publication focused on podcasting. Paul, the younger sibling, is a writer from New Hampshire who covers legislative advocacy and civil liberties.