Mental Floss: Misconceptions

Do cats always land on their feet? Can cats swim? What does it really mean when your cat purs?

James Bond, Sydney Bristow, Johnny Fedora... how accurate are these fictional representations of secret agents? On today's episode of Misconceptions, we're diving into the sexy, secretive world of spies. Who do spies spy on? How long have spies been around? And is espionage always... effective?

Death is inevitable, but it doesn't have to be confusing. Today, we're answering some of the internet's favorite questions about dying. Morbid? Maybe. Interesting? Definitely. What does cremation actually involve? Why are funerals so expensive? Does the soul have a measurable weight? Host Justin Dodd breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about the thing that unites us all... death.

46 misconceptions about the 46 presidents of the United States. It turns out, we don't know everything about our Commanders in Chief. Did George Washington actually chop down a cherry tree? Did Lincoln own enslaved people? And how did Theodore Roosevelt REALLY feel about teddy bears?

Charles Manson and Jim Jones are two of the most infamous, sinister cult leaders. But are they the exception, or the rule? Let's break down the myths surrounding cult communes, women-led cults, and the average demographic of a cult member.

Do bath salts turn you into a cannibal? Is marijuana a gateway drug? Does Adderall make you smarter? Drugs, both legal and illegal, are widely misunderstood. Today, we're going to answer some burning questions, all the way from cocaine to caffeine.

It's the 1980s. Everyone is rocking a mullet, drinking New Coke, and avoiding strangers due to the widespread kidnappings of children. Which of these cliches is fact, and which is fiction? The 1980s were an iconic decade that some of us lived through, and some of us have absorbed through TV and movies. Let's see what society remembers correctly, from the death of hair metal to the use of payphones for criminal activity.

What is the real sixth sense? Is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit actually the normal body temperature? And how many bones do humans REALLY have? The human body is incredible and confusing. Let's figure out what's true and what's a myth about the thing that unites us all: bodies.

Are serial killers more intelligent than the average person? Are all serial killers obsessed with sex? How many murders does one have to commit to become a serial killer? If you're obsessed with true crime but want to know the real facts about serial killers, we're here to share the truth about this horrifying category of killers. Host Justin Dodd breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about the murderous world of serial killers.

OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, affects millions of people around the world. So... why do most people still assume it just means you're very picky about how organized your desk is? On today's episode of Misconceptions, we try to answer the questions that everyone seems to get wrong about this mental disorder. What is the difference between an obsession and a compulsion? Does everyone who experience intrusive thoughts have OCD? Is 'Monk' an accurate depiction of the disorder?

Forensic science usually provides the key piece of evidence in true crime shows and podcasts. But what misconceptions about forensic science are making their way into popular culture? What details about forensics do shows like CSI and Law & Order get wrong? Is blood spatter analysis as foolproof as we assume? Has DNA evidence ever steered juries in the wrong direction? Join host Justin Dodd (@juddtoday) as he breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about the investigative world of forensic science.

Spoiler alert: One dog year is NOT equal to seven human years. Dogs have been man's best friend for thousands of years. But how well do we really know these adorable, furry friends? Do they really see in black and white? Are neutering and spaying bad for your dog? What does it mean when they eat grass? Host Justin Dodd breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about the the BEST pets, dogs.

Cryptocurrency is either the future or a fad, depending on whom you ask. Either way, there are plenty of misconceptions about cryptocurrency that need to be debunked. Are NFTs different than crypto? How does a blockchain work? What is crypto mining's environmental impact? What happens when the crypto market fluctuates? Host Justin Dodd breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about the transactional world of cryptocurrency.

Did an apple really fall on Isaac Newton's head? Is there gravity on the ISS? Did Schrödinger, uhh... murder a cat? Physics is all around us, and yet, most of us hardly understand it. Today, we're going to answer some burning questions, all the way from electrons to atomic bombs. Host Justin Dodd breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about the world of physics.

50 misconceptions about the 50 states of the United States. It turns out, we don't know everything about the fifty nifty. Is Wyoming really the Equality State? How many cowboys are in Texas? And why might a swim off the coast of California be unpleasant? Host Justin Dodd breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about the 50 states that make up the USA.