That’s why we put together this list of weird phenomena and crazy happenings that seem extremely fake but are actually real. You better clear your schedule because some of these posts might lead you down an intense rabbit hole of research.
More info: Reddit
#1
It the outside observer it looks like laziness, and that they’re just slacking off scrolling their phone or watching stuff, but inside is an entire monologue of said person screaming at themselves to just do the thing, but they can’t. It’s also not just for important or menial tasks, they’ll “procrastinate” on things they want to do, like playing a video game or reading a good book. It can often feel like “Locked In Syndrome” a condition where you’re locked inside your own body as an observer.
#2
People will believe something *just* because it is repeated, even when they know that what's being said is not true.
#3
More nutrients doesn’t necessarily mean more bioavailability and less nutrients doesn’t necessarily mean less bioavailability.
So many examples on this list might sound absurd at first, until you try and uncover the truth behind them. Like the idea that your personality changes when you switch between languages. The idea behind it is that you might speak in a different language when going to a new environment or culture and that ultimately affects the way you express yourself.
Compared to that, pseudoscience doesn’t have evidence backing it and is almost always based on flimsy ideas. To understand the difference between what information’s real and what’s fake, Bored Panda reached out to Paul M. Sutter. He is a theoretical cosmologist, NASA advisor, and author of a book called ‘Rescuing Science: Restoring Trust in an Age of Doubt.’
The most important thing Paul told us about pseudoscience is that it “takes the surface tools of science, like complex jargon and fancy equipment, but misses the deeper soul, like skepticism and openness.”
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Across the globe, around 60% of folks believe that the average person in their country doesn't care about factual information and just believes what they want. That is quite worrisome, considering how easy it is to pass pseudoscience off as real science and how believable a lot of it seems.
That’s why we also contacted Melanie Trecek-King to share her views on this topic. Melanie is a speaker, writer, educator, and consultant specializing in critical thinking, information literacy, and science literacy. She is the creator of Thinking Is Power—which empowers individuals with skills to make better decisions and protect themselves from misinformation.
She is also an associate professor of biology at Massasoit Community College, the education director for the Mental Immunity Project and CIRCE (Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative), and a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
Melanie explained that “pseudoscience masquerades as science but doesn’t adhere to the rigorous processes that make science reliable. Pseudoscience is widespread and can be dangerous. To protect ourselves, we must understand its characteristics and why we’re vulnerable to it.”
#7
It also may be possible to lose weight by getting a fecal transplant from a thin person. The only problem is, it is also possible to get a mental illness (potentially) from that same person, so they should be screened carefully.
#8
#9
it's broadly applied, too. PTSD, anxiety disorders, phobia, dissociative disorders....EMDR is indicated for a wide variety of life challenges.
privately, i call it the "little miracle". there are times when it appears to be almost mystical, but then, the human mind is vast and endless, and we know very little about it.
To simplify things for everyone and help distinguish between the facts on this list and misinformation, we asked Paul Sutter for tips. He said: “Here are my warning signs that you might just be encountering pseudoscience:
- Secrecy: science is open to critique and evaluation. Watch out for ideas that rely on some secret or arcane knowledge that only a select few have access to.
- Convoluted: even the most complex of scientific theories are straightforward and to the point. We always try to have as few steps and assumptions as possible to explain the data.
- Conspiracy: if an idea needs vast conspiracy to work, like there's some cabal of scientists and government officials trying to hide the ‘truth,’ it's probably not true.
- Static: science is always changing and updating with new evidence. Keep an eye out for ideas that haven't changed for decades or longer.”
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Most of us aren’t scientists, which is why it can be hard to distinguish between fact and fiction. Melanie Trecek-King explained that “the line between science and pseudoscience isn’t always clear, but there are a few telltale signs. Unlike scientific claims, many pseudoscientific claims are so vague that they can’t be tested.”
“By using overly broad statements (promotes vibrant health and wellness) or appealing to energies or spiritual forces (rebalances the body’s energy fields), pseudoscientific claims are difficult or impossible to verify. Pseudoscience promoters create an aura of mystery and encourage us to interpret their claims based on our hopes and desires,” Melanie explained.
#13
#14
Taking vitamin D supplements makes me feel *significantly* less depressed. Like, I have the potential to be normal, if I've consistently taken it. And if I haven't, I will definitely be depressed, even if everything else is going great.
Now, vitamins aren't exactly pseudo-science. They are, in fact, *actual science*. But I had a hard time taking certain people seriously about them.
But damned if it doesn't make a demonstrative difference in my life.
#15
If you take one thing from this list, it should always be to question the information that comes your way. A very important point that Melanie mentioned is: “Pseudoscientific beliefs are motivated by a desire to believe, often due to identity needs or wishful thinking. Hope is powerful, and it can overwhelm our critical thinking faculties.”
“Remember, true scientific claims are supported by rigorous evidence and are open to scrutiny and debate. By being aware of how pseudoscience can fool us, we can better protect ourselves from falling prey to its deceptive allure,” she added.
Let us know if you’ve got any examples of things that sound like pseudoscience but actually aren’t. Be warned: diligent Pandas will definitely fact-check you!
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#19
So if you’re working out, learning a dance etc. watch videos of other people doing it. Close your eyes and visualize yourself doing it, moving through the motion and then when you go to do it, it will be easier!
#20
