Common knowledge isn't that common. Sure, you can't know everything, and excelling in one area often means neglecting another, but things like first aid and the definition (and use) of free speech should be universally understood. At least, in the perfect world — it's in everyone's best interest.
But, again, they're not. So when Reddit user CasualBeers made a post on the platform, asking its users to share basic facts that they've noticed a surprisingly large number of people don't know, folks immediately started listing their suggestions. Here are some of the most popular ones.
#1
that freedom of speech doesn't mean you can say whatever you want without consequences or other people giving you s**t about it. it just means you can't go to jail for criticizing the government.
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516points
#2
How vaccines work. If they “make you sick,” it’s because they’re working! Your body is mounting a defense and creating antibodies to help fight off infection. A lot of really smart scientists have devoted their entire lives to keep us safe against life-threatening infection and people who have no medical training refuse them. It seems pretty idiotic and cavalier to me
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504points
#3
Just because it's natural doesn't mean it is automatically healthy.
Just because it is artificial or synthetic doesn't mean it is automatically bad for you.
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430points
#4
Blinkers aren't for you; they're to warn other road users of your intentions. Blinking a fraction of a second before you turn, or worse, start to turn then activate the blinkers does f**k all.
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428points
#5
Antibiotics do not work on a virus.
Edit: I did not expect this to blow up this much. Thank you so much for the awards and the shared information!
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427points
#7
#DON’T BOTHER WILD ANIMALS
I’m sure it’s just natural selection at this point
but the amount of stupid people I see walking up to wild creatures for video footage is irritating tbh.
Bonus points if the human gets hurt haha
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393points
#9
It is very easy to not block the whole aisle with your cart at the grocery store.
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376points
#12
Don’t dive in the water to save a drowning person. They WILL kill you. Throw them a flotation device. Hand them a broomstick and pull them to safety. Do NOT get in the water with a panicking person. Wait until they are unconscious and then dive in to retrieve them.
Source: years of swim lessons and unfortunately knowing somebody who has died trying to rescue somebody
316points
#13
That you should wait for people to get off the elevator when it arrives at your floor, instead of cramming yourself in when the doors open, blocking their departure.
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313points
#14
This one is for my fellow men out there. Washing your booty hole DOES NOT make you gay. I have seen comments being made by a plethora of males stating that. It’s basic hygiene yo.
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308points
#15
You can pick the better of two evils and still not like either choice.
Related:
You don't need to be 100% for one thing and 100% against something else.
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288points
#16
Woman is singular, women is plural. Hate seeing inspirational comments that are intended to be moving start off with “As an independent women, I feel xyz”
Also that being a feminist doesn’t mean you hate men
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263points
#20
A guest requested their chicken to be cooked medium rare this week. I don't understand why I have to stress that chicken only leaves the kitchen when it's completely cooked
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239points