10 Absurd Lies Taught in School According to Social Media

School is a great place to nurture young minds, but sometimes what we learn isn’t always true. Teachers try their best but may not always have the most helpful information.

10 Absurd Lies

Someone recently asked, “What did school try to teach you that was obviously false?” Here are the top-voted responses. Let us know if any of them resonate with you or if you have heard a similar lie.

1. The Food Pyramid

“Wait, you’re telling me I shouldn’t eat an entire loaf of bread every day?” one person asked.

The food pyramid is one example of something taught in schools but later found to be false.

1. The Food Pyramid

In 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) replaced the food pyramid with a more accessible tool known as MyPlate in order to provide better direction for healthy eating habits and nutrition.

2. Your Permanent Record Will Follow You

“That your permanent record would follow you throughout your career. Scaring kids into being good by saying they’ll never get a decent job if they don’t try hard in school and behave themselves,” one person said.

“Some of the biggest d**kheads in school ended up with great careers because nobody cares about your grades, and sh*t floats.”

2. Your Permanent Record Will Follow You

The idea of a permanent school record is actually an urban myth that was perpetuated in many schools. It scared students into believing they’d be judged based on their past, but it’s not true.

While your grades and academic achievements do play a role in college admissions and job applications, they don’t necessarily determine or define your future possibilities.

3. Than or Then

“A middle school English teacher once told me there is no difference between ‘then’ and ‘than.’ I still think about it today when I write, as a professional writer,” one person said.

Someone responded, “I had a teacher mark “than” wrong, regardless of context, stating that it wasn’t a real word.”

3. Than Or Then

Some people believe that “than” and “then” are interchangeable, but that’s not correct.

“Then” is used to refer to a point in the past or when something happens next. “Than” is used for comparison.

4. We Only Use 10% of Our Brains

Another common belief is that humans only use 10% of their brains. But this has been proven to be false, as all parts of the brain are active at any given moment.

The origin of the oft-repeated phrase “10% of your brain” may be traced back to either a misquote from Albert Einstein or an incorrect interpretation of Pierre Flourens’s work in the 19th century.

“I know some people who can’t seem to get up to 10%,” one person responded.

5. There is No Such Thing as Evolution

“Catholic grade school teacher said to us that evolution stopped when Jesus was crucified,” one person said.

In actuality, evolutionary theory explains how organisms change over time through natural selection, mutation, and genetic drift. It does not state any kind of timeline for when it stopped.

6. Racial Matters

“That Asians have narrow eyes to keep snow out during storms – yes, really,” one person wrote.

This type of teaching is harmful and misinformed. Racial stereotypes are not only false but can lead to discrimination and prejudice.

Schools should strive to teach students about different cultures in a respectful way without perpetuating negative stereotypes.

7. You Won’t Have a Calculator Everywhere You Go

“Ha! Jokes on you, teachers, I do have a calculator in my pocket, although I have forgotten how to divide,” one person stated.

“WolframAlpha can do multiple-order calculus and complex physics. It’ll practically build a bridge for you,” another person commented.

7. You Won’t Have a Calculator Everywhere You Go

Many schools and teachers had the faulty belief that calculators were an unnecessary crutch and wouldn’t be allowed in real-world scenarios.

But more often than not, these tools are essential for completing everyday tasks quickly and accurately.

So don’t worry about being calculator-less when you leave the classroom. You’ll have access to all the technology you need with your phone in your pocket.

8. Saying No to Bullies Will Stop Them

Some former pupils claim that the teachers told them if they said no to bullies, they would stop harassing them.

“A robber can’t legally rob you if you say no,” one person replied.

Unfortunately, that’s not true. Bullying is a complex issue and requires more than just saying no to stop it.

8. Saying No to Bullies Will Stop Them

Schools need to implement effective anti-bullying policies and provide support for victims of bullying in order to truly combat this problem.

Saying no won’t make the bully go away — it will take much more work on the part of the school and its administration to effectively tackle this issue.

9. Girls Don’t Like Sex

One person remarked how they were told in their Christian school that “girls don’t like sex.”

The Christian doctrine on sex may be restrictive, but the fact remains that the genders have desires and enjoy intimacy. Spreading misinformation can lead to harmful consequences.

All genders should be provided with accurate information about sexual health and relationships in order to make educated decisions.

10. Get Good Marks in School and Life Will Be Great

“Was a straight A student and did 2 years free in college, still living in poverty making less than $35,000 a year,” one person said.

Schools teach students the importance of getting good grades, but it’s not the only path to success in life.

Schools should also emphasize that there are many pathways available and that hard work, dedication, and perseverance can lead to a fulfilling career regardless of grades.

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Conclusion

School can be a great place to learn, but not everything taught in school is always true. The ten lies listed above are just some of the things people have been taught that don’t stand up to scrutiny. So before you take something as fact, make sure to do your own research.

This article was produced by TPR Teaching. We hope you enjoyed this Reddit picks list of lies you were taught in school.