🚀 The Most Bizarre Myths People Still Believe
Throughout history, people have believed in some of the most unbelievable myths—from the idea that the Earth is flat to wild conspiracy theories about hidden planets and historical denialism. While questioning the status quo is often a good thing, some myths can become downright dangerous when they ignore scientific evidence or promote harmful ideologies.
In this article, I’ll explore some of the strangest myths still held by some today, along with scientific proof debunking them. Whether you find them amusing or alarming, these myths offer a fascinating glimpse into how misinformation spreads—and why critical thinking is more important than ever.
🌍 1. The Flat Earth Theory
The idea that the Earth is flat has been around for centuries, but modern science has long debunked this claim. Yet, The Flat Earth Society and other groups still insist that our planet is not a sphere.
📜 Origin of the Myth
- The Flat Earth movement resurfaced in the 19th century with books like A Hundred Proofs the Earth is Not a Globe by William Carpenter.
- Arguments include claims that rivers flow “too straight” or that a globe would not be useful for navigation.
🔬 Scientific Evidence Debunking It
- The Moon’s shadow – During a lunar eclipse, the Earth’s shadow on the moon is curved.
- Ships and the horizon – Distant objects appear gradually as they approach, which wouldn’t happen on a flat Earth.
- Gravity’s effect – On a flat Earth, gravity would pull objects toward the center of the disk rather than straight down.
For more scientific proof, check out this NASA resource.
❌ 2. Holocaust Denial
One of the most dangerous and offensive myths, Holocaust denial attempts to rewrite history by claiming that the Holocaust either didn’t happen or was exaggerated.
📜 Origin of the Myth
- Holocaust deniers often rebrand themselves as “revisionists” and spread misinformation, claiming it’s part of a Jewish conspiracy.
- This belief is widely considered anti-Semitic propaganda and is illegal in many countries.
🔬 Historical Proof Against Holocaust Denial
- Eyewitness testimonies from survivors, soldiers, and historians.
- Physical evidence from concentration camps like Auschwitz.
- Nuremberg trials and documented Nazi confessions.
Want to learn more? Check out the Holocaust Encyclopedia.
☀️☀️ 3. NASA Is Hiding a Second Sun
This bizarre theory claims that NASA has been covering up the existence of a second sun in our solar system.
📜 Origin of the Myth
- Astronomer Paul Cox sparked controversy when he claimed during a live telescope feed that NASA was hiding a “second sun.”
- Some believers tie this to Planet X/Nibiru conspiracy theories, suggesting that an undiscovered planet will eventually crash into Earth.
🔬 Scientific Evidence Debunking It
- Astronomers worldwide would have detected a second sun by now.
- The so-called “second sun” in videos is usually Mercury or another celestial body.
- No scientific data supports the existence of a hidden star in our solar system.
For more on debunking space-related myths, check out this Ars Technica article.
🔟 10 Other Wild Myths That People Still Believe
- 🔮 The Apocalypse Has Been “Scheduled”
People have been predicting the end of the world for centuries, from the Rapture to Armageddon. But guess what? We’re still here.
📖 List of failed doomsday predictions - 🏫 Sandy Hook Was a Staged Event
Some claim the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was faked, using “crisis actors.” This cruel conspiracy has been debunked multiple times.
📖 Debunking Sandy Hook conspiracies - 🦘 Australia Doesn’t Exist
According to some internet trolls, Australia isn’t real, and people who claim to be Australian are actors.
📖 Fake Australia conspiracy - 🇫🇮 Finland Doesn’t Exist
A viral internet joke started the claim that Finland is a fictional country created by Japan and the Soviet Union to keep fishing rights.
📖 How this conspiracy spread - 💵 Dollar Bills Predicted 9/11
Some claim that if you fold a $20 bill a certain way, you can see images of the Twin Towers collapsing. Coincidence? Yes. Evidence? No.
📖 9/11 dollar bill myth - 💉 Vaccines Cause Autism
This dangerous myth started with a fraudulent study that has been completely discredited.
📖 Vaccine safety studies - ✈️ Chemtrails Are Poisoning Us
Some believe that white trails left by airplanes contain mind-controlling chemicals sprayed by the government. In reality, they’re just water vapor.
📖 The chemtrails conspiracy - 🚀 The Moon Landing Was Faked
Despite overwhelming scientific proof, some still claim NASA staged the Moon landing in 1969.
📖 Debunking the Moon landing myth - 🌎 There’s Another Earth Behind the Sun
Some claim there’s an Earth-like planet exactly opposite our planet, hiding behind the sun so we never see it. This is physically impossible due to orbital mechanics.
📖 The “Counter-Earth” myth - 🦖 Satan Created Dinosaur Bones to Deceive Us
Some extreme Young Earth Creationists believe that dinosaurs never existed and that their fossils were planted by Satan to trick people into rejecting God.
📖 Young Earth Creationism