Browse the archive
Explore outdated "facts" by educational era — no graduation year required.
1970s
Cold War science, food pyramids, and sugar highs.
Explore1980s
Personal computing arrives, eggs are evil, and AIDS misinformation spreads.
Explore1990s
Pluto is a planet, the brain has halves, and the internet is for academics.
Explore2000s
Learning styles, IQ tests, and climate change feels far away.
Explore2010s
Gluten panic, taste zones, and mobile phones are just a fad.
Explore2020s
COVID myths, AI content, and pandemic-era misinformation.
ExploreMyths whose updated understanding emerged most recently.
What you were taught
AI-generated content is easily distinguishable from human-created content
What we know now
By the early 2020s, AI-generated text, images, and even videos became nearly indistinguishable from human-created content, challenging detection methods.
Updated understanding emerged around 2023
What you were taught
COVID-19 vaccines cause blood clots or increase stroke risk
What we know now
While rare side effects like specific blood clot disorders were linked to certain COVID-19 vaccines (e.g., Johnson & Johnson, which is no longer available in the U.S.), the vast majority of COVID-19 vaccines do not cause blood clots or increase stroke risk. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh these rare risks, and the risk of blood clots and heart problems is higher with COVID-19 infection itself.
Updated understanding emerged around 2022
What you were taught
COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer or more aggressive cancer
What we know now
This myth is false. Researchers have found no evidence linking COVID-19 vaccines to an increase in cancer rates or more aggressive forms of cancer. This misconception often arises from individual experiences or misinterpretations of data.
Updated understanding emerged around 2022