Let me just add one more example that it is not contentious or politically
loaded. Many Americans nowadays believe that sugar is a stimulant. For
example, they believe that if their children eat sugared cereal for
breakfast they will get a "sugar high" and race around the house causing
commotion. I know some well-educated parents who are convinced they observed
this firsthand.
Medical researchers pointed out that there is no known physiological basis
for this, but because biology is full of unexplained mysteries, they took
this claim seriously, and investigated it carefully. They administered large
doses of various kinds of sugar to people of different ages, and then
measured their blood pressure, eye dilation and behavior. They found no
evidence sugar is a stimulant. None whatever. The parents who imagine they
are seeing this may have false memories or they are ignoring the counter
examples. In one case I know of they have not taken it into account that the
kids only get sweet cereal when they are visiting their cousins having a
grand time, and inclined to be excited. ("Ignoring a common cause" logical
fallacy.)
I believe this notion arose recently. In a few generations it will be
forgotten.
- Jed
