[not sure what forum for this]
New on Cracked today: The 6 Most Frequently Quoted Brain Facts (That Are Total BS)
Some I wasn’t familiar with (and one I don’t buy–the writer talks up elderly perceptual ability, but the elderly have slower neurogenesis, which implies they’re absorbing data more slowly). But I’m struck by the fact that that old canard that we only use 10% of our brains didn’t make the list.
I saw that and noted the 10% one as missing too. It was the first one I thought of when I read the tag.
I think they had previously covered that in a different article - which could be why they didn’t bring it up.
#6 Like a crippled gazelle, alcohol kills the weak brain cells that slow you down 
#5 Unless I’m missing recent research, isn’t neurogenesis only shown to occur in hippocampal formation, olfactory and gustatory receptors? Not the large cognitive areas? The image shown is from hippocampus, too. They seems to confuse neurogenesis, the creation of new neurons, with synaptic plasticity, the forming of new connections between existing neurons.
#4 Maybe ecstasy doesn’t destroy your brain, but it can cause long-lasting severe changes in serotoninergic neurons, leading to depression and anxiety.
#3 Seems off, but don’t know much about development.
#2 Wow, never heard this one repeated. The shock absorption theory is new to me too, I have always heard the second one.
#1 Neglects to mention brain:body weight ratios in favor of absolute size, but generally true that conclusions can’t be drawn.
Looks like it’s in The 6 Most Frequently Quoted Bullshit Statistics from 2008.
Cool list, and I learned a new word: shirtcocking.
I would like to learn a new word, but I am old and too frightened to google it. Is it the way the young man at the end is standing with his hands on his belt?
No, it’s not that bad. It’s walking around with nothing but a shirt on. Preferably a long-enough shirt, but not necessarily.
I know it’s why I used to like nightshirts.
Thanks. I’m glad I didn’t google that from work.
There’s one that I would have liked to see mentioned separately, but was only briefly referred to in the paragraph about ecstasy. I’m thinking of the misconceptions about MRIs. Most people think that an MRI tells us what parts of the brain are active during a certain mental activity. Actually it measures blood flow, not brain activity. Further, there’s a lot more variability in MRI results than you’d think if you read the mainstream media articles.
But overall, good list and good article. I appreciate having Cracked on our side in the fight against ignorance, even if they are heavy on the profanity.