There are a lot of misconceptions that have been passed from generation to generation.  Here are facts that correct such fallacies, underscoring the lesson that when we ask questions, we  stand to learn more about life and the things around us.

Fallacy 1:  If you sit too close to the television, you'll ruin your eyesight.

Fact:  According to Dr. Norman Saffra, chairman of Ophthalmology at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, technology has corrected radiation issues that might have been responsible for ruining kid's eyesight back in 1950s.  Today, modern televisions sets are built with proper shielding so that even after repeated or extended exposure, the worst thing you can expect is eyestrain, which is easily remedied by taking an occasional break from the screen.

Fallacy 2:  Lightning never strikes in the same place twice.

Fact:  In reality, there are numerous towers and high rises in the world that suffer repeated lightening strikes.  An example is the C.N. Tower in Toronto which gets an average of 200 lightning strikes.  Even in ancient times, a lot of places, especially those near mountain sides, sustain lightning strikes everywhere there is a storm.  This cannot be duly authenticated since there are no proper records.  It is also isn't true that lightning flashes down from the clouds.  What you actually see is lighting discharging itself from the ground up to the sky.  Furthermore, lightning doesn't zigzag down the earth, nature chooses far more direct paths for it follow.

Fallacy 3:  Sardines are a type of fish.

Fact:  The only way to know if it is sardines is if you look at the label- and there is absolutely no fish by that name.  The word originated from the fact that many types of these fish abound along the shores of Sardinia.  The term also covers numerous breeds of fish like pilchards, menhaden and herring.

Fallacy 4:  We need a lot of direct sun exposure if we don't want to suffer from vitamin D deficiency.

Fact:  To maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood, our bodies need vitamin D.  In a sense, vitamin D helps the formation of strong bones, because it promotes calcium absorption.  The absence of this vitamin can therefore lead to thin, brittle, or misshapen bones.  However, there seems to be incorrect perception that one has to intentionally seek the sun or an artificial source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, in  order to get the health benefits that vitamin D may provide.  Numerous studies show that the safest way to obtain vitamin D is through oral supplementation or diet.  If you are concerned that you are not getting the correct amount of vitamin D per day, good sources of vitamin D include: Sardines, salmon, tuna, beef liver, Swiss cheese, and eggs.  Remember that sun exposure is not the only way to get vitamin D.

Fallacy 5:  Mice love cheese. 

Fact:  Everyone thinks this is true.  Maybe we should tell the mice as well.  According to a renowned author there have been many experiments conducted to prove this, but they have failed to demonstrate mice's preference for cheese at all.  Their favorite dish are sweets and whatever you see on TV are just figments of the writer's imagination.

Fallacy 6:  Coughing is an illness.

Fact:  Cough is a symptom of disorder of the breathing passages.  These disorders may be sore throat, tonsillitis, chest colds, bronchitis, lung cancer, tuberculosis, or others.  The cough is not an illness, rather, it is a "defense mechanism" of the body says a medical doctor.  It is a sudden involuntary expulsion of air from the lungs after a deep breath and closure of the opening between the vocal cords in the voice box.  Most often, coughs are due to the inhalation of an irritant such as tobacco fumes, dust spray, or excessive talking.  The psychological purpose of a cough is protective, to get rid the breathing passages of an irritant.

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Bato Balani Vol. 27 No. 5

Bato Balani Vol. 27 No. 2