Omslagafbeelding van de show How You Were Fooled

How You Were Fooled

Podcast door Misty Liebisch

Engels

Technologie en Wetenschap

Daarna € 9,99 / maand. Elk moment opzegbaar.

  • 20 uur luisterboeken / maand
  • Podcasts die je alleen op Podimo hoort
  • Gratis podcasts

Over How You Were Fooled

Every day, we take in countless facts, ideas, and beliefs—many of which we assume to be true. But what if some of them were never true at all? How You Were Fooled dives into the myths, misconceptions, and media manipulations that have shaped our understanding of the world. Each short, engaging episode reveals a common belief that turned out to be false, showing how misinformation spreads and how we can learn to think critically.

Alle afleveringen

8 afleveringen

aflevering 8: Did People Really Believe the World Would End in 2012 – The Mayan Calendar Misunderstood artwork

8: Did People Really Believe the World Would End in 2012 – The Mayan Calendar Misunderstood

This episode explores the widespread myth that the world would end on December 21, 2012, based on a misunderstanding of the Mayan Long Count calendar. While that date did mark the end of a significant calendar cycle (the 13th bʼakʼtun), the Maya saw it as a time of renewal, not an apocalypse. The myth was fueled by Western misinterpretations, media hype, and pseudoscientific claims — including solar flares, magnetic pole reversals, and the fictional planet “Nibiru.” Hollywood further amplified the fear with the release of the movie 2012, turning speculation into sensationalism. Although many didn’t take it seriously, some people built bunkers, joined survivalist groups, or altered life plans out of fear. NASA and scientists actively debunked the myths, but the idea persisted because of its emotional power and viral spread. In the end, nothing happened on December 21, 2012. The episode highlights how fear, media, and misinterpreted history can combine to create global myths — and how easily we can be fooled when we stop questioning the facts.

30 mei 2025 - 4 min
aflevering 7: Does Cracking Your Knuckles Cause Arthritis – A Popping Myth Busted artwork

7: Does Cracking Your Knuckles Cause Arthritis – A Popping Myth Busted

This episode busts the widespread myth that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis. Despite the alarming popping sound, science shows that knuckle cracking is caused by gas bubbles collapsing in joint fluid, not by bones grinding or joint damage. Research, including a 60-year self-experiment by Dr. Donald Unger, found no link between knuckle cracking and arthritis. Medical institutions like the Arthritis Foundation and Johns Hopkins agree: the habit may be noisy or annoying, but it’s not harmful to your joints. The myth persists because the sound seems damaging and arthritis is common, making it easy to falsely associate the two. While excessive or forceful cracking could cause minor swelling or reduced grip strength, it won’t cause arthritis. In short, the myth is all noise — no damage.

20 mei 2025 - 4 min
aflevering 5: Einstein and His Math Struggles – Did He Really Fail Math in School artwork

5: Einstein and His Math Struggles – Did He Really Fail Math in School

The popular belief that Albert Einstein failed math in school is a myth. In reality, Einstein was exceptionally gifted in mathematics from a young age—mastering algebra, geometry, and even calculus before the age of 15. The myth likely originated from a 1935 Ripley’s Believe It or Not! article, combined with mistranslations of grading systems. In Switzerland, the highest grade was a “6,” but when Einstein received this score, it was misread as a failing mark due to confusion with the German system. Einstein did struggle with rigid schooling and rote memorization, which led some to label him a poor student. However, in math and physics, he was consistently ahead of his peers. This myth persists because it's comforting and inspirational—a reminder that even geniuses can struggle. But in truth, Einstein never failed math. He was, and remains, one of the greatest scientific minds in history.

17 apr 2025 - 4 min
aflevering 4: Napoleon Wasn’t That Shor artwork

4: Napoleon Wasn’t That Shor

Napoleon Bonaparte is famously remembered as a short man with a big ego, but historical records show he was actually around 5'6" to 5'7"—average height for a Frenchman in his time. The belief that he was unusually short came from a combination of measurement confusion (French vs. British units) and British wartime propaganda. British cartoonists exaggerated his height to mock and undermine him during France’s conflicts with Britain, creating a lasting public image of Napoleon as a “tiny tyrant.” This stereotype stuck, eventually evolving into the term “Napoleon complex.” The episode reveals how propaganda, repetition, and powerful imagery can distort historical truth, reminding us to question what we’ve long believed—especially when it sounds like the perfect story. In reality, Napoleon’s small stature was just a big myth.

10 apr 2025 - 3 min
Super app. Onthoud waar je bent gebleven en wat je interesses zijn. Heel veel keuze!
Super app. Onthoud waar je bent gebleven en wat je interesses zijn. Heel veel keuze!
Makkelijk in gebruik!
App ziet er mooi uit, navigatie is even wennen maar overzichtelijk.

Kies je abonnement

Meest populair

Tijdelijke aanbieding

Premium

20 uur aan luisterboeken

  • Podcasts die je alleen op Podimo hoort

  • Geen advertenties in Podimo shows

  • Elk moment opzegbaar

2 maanden voor € 1
Daarna € 9,99 / maand

Begin hier

Premium Plus

Onbeperkt luisterboeken

  • Podcasts die je alleen op Podimo hoort

  • Geen advertenties in Podimo shows

  • Elk moment opzegbaar

Probeer 7 dagen gratis
Daarna € 13,99 / maand

Probeer gratis

Alleen bij Podimo

Populaire luisterboeken

Veelgestelde vragen

Meer vragen & antwoorden
Begin hier

2 maanden voor € 1. Daarna € 9,99 / maand. Elk moment opzegbaar.