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[Vince Keegan]

A goldfish has a 3-second memory span, the Great Wall of China can be seen from space, and shaving causes hair to grow thicker, right? Wrong. Actually, our knowledge is full of misconceptions, based on misunderstanding scientific concepts, misrepresented information and sometimes, a downright old pseudoscience that somehow survived.
Here are 20 common misconceptions that we should be aware of:

1. Schizophrenics have multiple personalities



While Schizophrenia means ‘split-mind’, it is not the same as split personality disorder.

[Vince Keegan]

2. Toilet water rotates the other way in the southern hemisphere



They don’t, the Coriolis Effect does not affect toilets.

[Vince Keegan]

3. Alcohol kills brain cells



This is only true for alcoholics who rely on alcohol for their caloric intake.

[Vince Keegan]

4. Vaccines cause autism



This rumor was spread by a British former doctor by the name of Andrew Wakefield, who had his medical license revoked after his research linking autism to vaccinations was proven to be an elaborate fraud.

[Vince Keegan]

5. Caffeine dehydrates you



While caffeine itself does increase the need to urinate, the amount of water in coffee negates the loss of fluids.

[Vince Keegan]

6. Never go swimming after eating



You won’t cramp, but swimming with a full stomach might make you short of breath.