A universal experience that people come across in life is finding out that something they believed their whole life is actually a lie. Seven students at Nonnewaug High School were asked to participate in an activity to determine if they thought the following statements were true or false. At the end of this activity, the students were told that their beliefs were actually all lies.
Warming Up Your Car Before Driving It
Seven out of seven Nonnewaug High School students believed that warming up your car in the morning before driving it is better for your car and engine. Some believe the engine needs time to warm up before driving so the oil can heat up for the vehicle to drive better. However, according to Justin Cole, a mechanic that works at Murray Brothers Garage, modern-day vehicles do not need to warm up, and they are built specifically to operate in cold weather. In fact, driving your car will actually heat up the oil much faster, rather than having the car sit and warm up.
In modern cars, engine oil circulates and lubricates all moving parts very quickly after starting, often within seconds. Letting a car sit idly for extended periods can waste fuel and increase emissions, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. With that being said, older vehicles that are carbureted are the only vehicles that can benefit from being warmed up. This is due to the mechanics being older, slower, and sometimes less efficient when involving oil circulation.
Turning the Car Light On Inside the Car While Driving is Illegal
Three of seven Nonnewaug students believe that turning on the inside light of a car while driving is illegal. Where did this misconception come from? These Nonnewaug students explained that they were told mostly by their parents to shut the light off when they were driving. Sophomore Audrey Doran, when she was brought to the realization that she had been following a law her whole life that never actually existed, explained that she feels her “whole life is a lie.”
Doran also explains, “My mom would always tell me she is going to get pulled over and to turn the light off. I never knew why, I just went with it.”
This misconception stems from parents not wanting to get distracted or cause eye strains while driving. Although it’s not illegal to turn the light on, it is annoying; so who can blame the parents who tell this little white lie to drive without unnecessary distractions?
Gum Stays in Your Stomach For 7 Years After Swallowing
Three of seven Nonnewaug students believe that gum stays in your stomach for 7 years after swallowing it. This is proven to be false. Stomach acid in your stomach breaks down the gum and can pass through your intestines within 24 hours. Obviously, swallowing gum is not “good” to do as it can cause constipation or an uncomfortable feeling, but it doesn’t stay in your stomach for 7 years as it has been told it does. This myth was commonly told to children, as it emphasizes to them not to swallow non-food items. If a child believes that gum stays in their stomach for 7 years, the next time they look at a tasty building block left on the ground, they will think twice before eating it. It’s a harmless myth to get kids to throw out their gum.
Although, by kids not swallowing their gum, you might find it under a desk at school which might not be ideal to clean up. But at the end of the day, at least kids aren’t swallowing it.
Cracking Your Knuckles Causes Arthritis When You Are Older
Three of seven Nonnewaug students believe that cracking your knuckles can cause arthritis over time. This myth comes from lack of information. Arthritis is commonly caused by overworked joints; the constant cracking of the knuckles can be confused with joint damage. However, it is not proven that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis.
Arthritis is primarily genetically passed down to you. Most people crack their knuckles as a habit, doing it when you are nervous or scared, but it isn’t viewed as a cause for any joint diseases. The actual popping sound when you crack your knuckles is the formation and bursting of gas bubbles from the synovial fluid around your joints, and not your knuckles clicking and rubbing together.
You Shouldn’t Wake Sleepwalkers
Five of seven Nonnewaug students believe that it’s dangerous to wake sleepwalkers. Why they believe this is because it is told that waking a sleepwalker can wake up in a state of fear and anger and potentially hurt the person who woke them up. This has not been proven to be true.
In all actuality, not waking a sleepwalker can be extremely dangerous. A 28 year old woman in London, explains that her scariest sleepwalking experience was when she “woke up at 3 A.M. in a bath full of lukewarm water with a razor in my hand. I had shaved the bottom half of my left leg. Luckily I hadn’t cut myself.”
Sleepwalkers can get into very dangerous situations quickly. It is important to wake sleepwalkers and put them back to bed before they put their lives and potentially others at risk.
