Re: Lets debunk some urban legends
 

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Seriously, guys:

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www.snopes.com

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My favorite: "Ring Around the Rosie" isn't now and never was about the black plague.

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Wow, I'm amazed - I'd read this even in academic books.

Re: Lets debunk some urban legends
 

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2. Being cold causes the common cold. (More of an old wives tale than urban legend)

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There was an interesting study last year (don't remember the source) that found that cold viruses may have an easier time adhering to your nose when it is cold. Overall, still an old wives' tale, but it may have a hint of truth to it.

Re: Lets debunk some urban legends
 

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Seriously, guys:

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www.snopes.com

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My favorite: "Ring Around the Rosie" isn't now and never was about the black plague.

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Wow, I'm amazed - I'd read this even in academic books.

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Im with you, Ive read that a dozen times from various sources, in and out of school

Re: Lets debunk some urban legends
 

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Keeping your cellphone in your front pocket causes sterility in men.

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This is sort of a half-truth that has been exaggerated extremely. Radiation is not healthy, and may in some cases lead to sterilisation.

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you are wrong

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No, I am not, I actually know what I am talking about here since I have been asked about these questions in lots of meetings and discussed it with a lot of different experts to be able to give qualified answers. But it is a half-truth extremely exaggerated since we are subject to radiation constantly and a mobile phone in your front pocket sending a signal to the mast once in a while isn't a considerable addition. Chance of cancer with it in your pocket still > chance of cancer without it in your pocket.

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haha... you've been going to meetings to prepare for this post?

Re: Lets debunk some urban legends
 

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Although we are constantly exploring the subject, currently there is no direct evidence linking cell phone use to brain cancer.

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Yes, there isn't, that's why I said extremely exaggerated. Anyway, if you want to be precautious the whole trick is to not lean the mobile phone on your ear, just a centimeter away and you are subject to much less radiation.

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are you familiar with the terms "negligible" or "radio"?

Re: Lets debunk some urban legends
 

On the cell phone issue:

"Using your cell phone while filling up your gas tank make cause an explosion, due to a spark caused by static or transmission or something to that effect."

And more interestingly, the legend of the homeless guy taking his $500 social security check to Treasure Island and running it up over a million playing blackjack, then giving it all back.

Re: Lets debunk some urban legends
 

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/snopes.png

Re: Lets debunk some urban legends
 

I dunno if this qualifies as an urban legend, but is it true that the menstrual cycle is linked to the lunar cycle?

Re: Lets debunk some urban legends
 

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Entering your PIN in reverse will contact the authorities from the ATM.

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My PIN is the same forward and back. I expect the authorities have figured it out by now, since they probably arrive at the ATM just after I drive off every single time.

Re: Lets debunk some urban legends
 

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Entering your PIN in reverse will contact the authorities from the ATM.


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that's actually a pretty good idea. It's not true though, is it?