# What fact is most obvious to you that you hear frequently denied? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 30, 2010, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009 "2010-01-30T07:31:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/101 "2010-02-01T03:46:12Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > Are you referring to the law of large numbers? Anyway, please explain. I’m interested. Take it elsewhere, please. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/102 "2010-02-01T03:50:59Z")
Sorry; you’re right that this thread is explicitly not the place for such a “debate”, although I think most of the posters here ( **Green Bean** , **Chronos** , myself, and **billfish678** ) probably are in agreement on all the essentials, and the nascent discussion was more an attempt to elucidate exactly what was being meant by certain statements than a genuine argument. Anyway, it doesn’t matter that much. ---
**Author:** ![meanoldman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@meanoldman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meanoldman)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/103 "2010-02-01T04:23:51Z")
Marginal tax rates apply only to that dollar earned within that bracket. People I know, people that appear as otherwise high functioning individuals, have insisted to me that one had better be careful about how much money you make, cause if you make enough to go into the next tax bracket _ALL_ your earnings are taxed at that higher rate. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![DadWagonDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@DadWagonDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DadWagonDriver)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/104 "2010-02-01T04:41:19Z")
> [@meanoldman](#): > > Marginal tax rates apply only to that dollar earned within that bracket. > > People I know, people that appear as otherwise high functioning individuals, have insisted to me that one had better be careful about how much money you make, cause if you make enough to go into the next tax bracket _ALL_ your earnings are taxed at that higher rate. :dubious: Ignorance fought! I’ve never had to worry about this, but I was always under the improper assumption. I’m still under 30, and still under the $100k bump (and always will be, I think), so I’ll use that as my excuse. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/105 "2010-02-01T05:53:07Z")
> [@meanoldman](#): > > Marginal tax rates apply only to that dollar earned within that bracket. > > People I know, people that appear as otherwise high functioning individuals, have insisted to me that one had better be careful about how much money you make, cause if you make enough to go into the next tax bracket _ALL_ your earnings are taxed at that higher rate. :dubious: Yes, I’ve heard people under this misapprehension as well, though it’s generally been cleared up pretty quickly once the real deal’s been explained (i.e., that post-tax income is a strictly increasing function of pre-tax income, even though it is piecewise linear with the slopes of these pieces decreasing), particularly if I point them to the appropriate part of their tax form instructions as a (manifestly authoritative) cite. I’ve never witnessed anyone continue insisting upon it after that. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/106 "2010-02-01T05:58:12Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > It _does_ violate that rule, because everybody believes that they are merely “correcting” the other person. > The correct thing to do in this particular thread, because it houses so many different beliefs that would normally be posted in Great Debates, is to post a response to the OP, _and leave the others alone._ OK. This kind of thread must make you mods heave a collective sigh because it’s the kind of topic that does inspire questioning. Otherwise I could say: [ul] [li]The Earth is not round. [/li] [li]All men love chocolate more than sex. [/li] [li]Cecil’s likes include shagging with bunny rabbits.\* [/li][/ul] And not be questioned on it, because none of them are really ‘general debate’ worthy. They’re all debatable for a post or two, but not enough for a thread. Except the Cecil thing. We all know he prefers doing the foxtrot with badgers. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/107 "2010-02-01T05:59:55Z")
Shutting down house committees that are asking embarrassing questions and avoiding excess democracy during the Olympics are not the intended functions of proroguing Parliament. Neither is avoiding a vote of no confidence. Also, having a sitting legislative body is not actually bad for the economy. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Bith\_Shuffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@The\_Bith\_Shuffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bith_Shuffle)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/108 "2010-02-01T06:13:52Z")
> [@scifisam2009](#): > > OK. > > This kind of thread must make you mods heave a collective sigh because it’s the kind of topic that does inspire questioning. Otherwise I could say: > > [ul] > [li]The Earth is not round. [/li] > [li]All men love chocolate more than sex. [/li] > [li]Cecil’s likes include shagging with bunny rabbits.\* [/li][/ul] > > And not be questioned on it, because none of them are really ‘general debate’ worthy. They’re all debatable for a post or two, but not enough for a thread. Except the Cecil thing. We all know he prefers doing the foxtrot with badgers. I agree that there is a tight spot where some questions are worth debating for a few posts but where it really isn’t worth it to start another thread over it. But just because they are only _worth_ debating for a few posts does not mean that, here at SDMB, they could not be debated for about three hundred posts or so. ---
**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/109 "2010-02-01T07:27:32Z")
I’m not an alcoholic. I can stop whenever I want to. ---
**Author:** ![Cesario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Cesario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cesario)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/110 "2010-02-01T07:39:02Z")
“Blue balls” is a real phenomenon, not a myth. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/111 "2010-02-01T08:27:01Z")
Capitalism is a bad system, and the Invisible Hand is giving us the finger. America is a _de facto_ plutarchy, has been for a long time,and its example is spreading this abhorrent system worldwide. The rich, as a class, are the enemies of everyone else. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/112 "2010-02-01T08:48:01Z")
I hope this isn’t considered arguing because I’m not going to address anyone in particular, but there really are some Cuckoo for CocoaPuffs theories rolling around here. Not most, mind you… but a few are wowzers. ---
**Author:** ![Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/113 "2010-02-01T08:57:18Z")
Antibiotics do NOT help with colds, the flu, or any other viral infection. $4 prescriptions are a loss-leader, the pharmacy doesn’t make money on them. Homeopathic products are worthless, with no proof they work. Natural is not synonymous with safe and side effect free. That you can patent a drug that comes from a plant, or nature. (Always comes up in discussions about why Bigpharma ignores some “miracle cure”) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Bith\_Shuffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@The\_Bith\_Shuffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bith_Shuffle)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/114 "2010-02-01T10:49:39Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > I hope this isn’t considered arguing because I’m not going to address anyone in particular, but there really are some Cuckoo for CocoaPuffs theories rolling around here. Not most, mind you… but a few are wowzers. I’m with you here. Without pointing out any particulars, there have been tons of statements here that made me really go “wow…” And to think that these particular statements are statements that are supposed to be _obviously_ correct. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/115 "2010-02-01T13:22:18Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Take it elsewhere, please. Say what? We weren’t arguing with him. We simply didn’t know to what mathematical principle he was referring. I understand that you’re trying to forestall debates and arguments, but there’s an obvious difference between asking “what law are you talking about” and arguing about how many “genders” there are. ---
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/116 "2010-02-01T13:48:52Z")
Panda’s are stupid and are at an evolutionary dead end. Saving every nine toed albino desert Gecko or some other minor species above all else won’t cause the destruction of the planet. ---
**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/117 "2010-02-01T13:53:04Z")
> [@Vernon\_Vernons](#): > > There are significant cognitive and physical differences between different races that are THE main deciding factors in the successes and failures of members of those races in different arenas. The breakdown is something like 95% nature, 5% nurture. Nobody will admit or accept this, in spite of it being plain as day, because it’s an “offensive” concept. I also believe that research and empirical data confirming this is suppressed, though often tacitly. > > That said, this calls for even more equality-supporting laws and behaviors like affirmative action. Amen! Made me think of some brilliaint men and women. It wasnt my fault, I never met my potential because I was abused by …X All my adult problems are a result of improper toilet training. Marriage is the leading cause of divorce. All we need is love. ---
**Author:** ![Lillith\_Fair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@Lillith\_Fair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lillith_Fair)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/118 "2010-02-01T14:07:00Z")
I find an amazing number of people think that a boy and a girl can be identical twins. I had a big argument about it at work recently. “One embryo splits in half and becomes two identical embryos. They are both boys or both girls.” Maybe not the most scientific explanation, but still. How could anyone be so dumb? It is irrelevant that Buffy and Jody looked alike. ---
**Author:** ![Lillith\_Fair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@Lillith\_Fair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lillith_Fair)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/119 "2010-02-01T14:10:30Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Seems like this thread contains more opinions than facts. 😕 > > People think a plane stays aloft due to Bernoulli’s principle. They imagine the air being split at the wing’s leading edge, the air above the wing has a higher velocity than the air below the wing (due to longer distance), etc. etc. This is not true. So IT IS magic that a plane can fly and I SHOULD be terrified of flying! I knew it! ---
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009/120 "2010-02-01T14:24:49Z")
Despite the best efforts of literary theorists to persuade otherwise, Freud’s notion of the human psyche is a phallacy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fact-is-most-obvious-to-you-that-you-hear-frequently-denied/527009.md?page=7)