Dangerous Scientific Myths: What Bugs You?

[The Klishi Islands]

First off, this is not a religion bash. I know we have many passionate agnostics and atheists. I'm not looking for religious beliefs- you'll see what I do mean next. Please keep those out, as I have a feeling they'll distract from the topics I'm aiming to discuss.

Now, I know that NSG is for the most part very scientifically oriented and look for objective evidence like me. So, my question here is: what common myths, misconceptions, or conspiracies do you believe are A) prevalent in today's society and B) potentially dangerous. For example...

1. Climate Change Denial. Fairly self-explanatory. Climate change has been proven (link is also in my sig) to be happening and to be human-caused, and the debate obviously needs to be on solutions instead of the validity of the science. Denial is extremely dangerous because it leads to inaction, which could lead to the displacement or even starvation of millions of people (to put it simply).

Linky

2. Autism is connected to Vaccines. Proven false (link also in my sig) and a hoax, the stubbornly prevalent belief already has led to outbreaks of previously-almost-dead diseases in the USA, UK, and other countries. Herd immunity is extremely important in the prevention of disease, so IMHO vaccinations should be made mandatory for all children who don't have an allergic reaction because there's simply no proof of any adverse negative effects.

So what myths, misconceptions, or conspiracies are having or could have adverse effects on society? Have at it, NSG.

[The Orson Empire]

Climate change denial really bugs me, because during my lifetime, I will have to endure the consequences of climate change because people choose to ignore it rather that doing anything about it.

[MERIZoC]

Climate Change denial is far and away the most harmful piece of ignorance in society right now, and it needs to be stamped out soon. And then, some meaningful change needs to be made.

[Fanosolia]

Well the two you pointed out is the top ones for me.

Though one that bugs me...? Can I say eugenics/breeding a superbeing breeding an ideal human?

[The Klishi Islands]

Added some images to the OP to beef it up a bit, because it looked a little weak once submitted.

Well the two you pointed out is the top ones for me.

Though one that bugs me...? Can I say eugenics/breeding a superbeing?

You can say whatever you want, I ain't stopping you. What do you mean by breeding a superbeing?

[The Orson Empire]

Climate Change denial is far and away the most harmful piece of ignorance in society right now, and it needs to be stamped out soon. And then, some meaningful change needs to be made.

It probably won't get stamped out, due to how strong the petroleum industry is. The people leading these industries do not care about the climate; they just care about making as much money as possible. It's all about greed.

Even still, those leading these industries are so old that they won't even be alive once shit really hits the fan.

[Fanosolia]

Added some images to the OP to beef it up a bit, because it looked a little weak once submitted.

Well the two you pointed out is the top ones for me.

Though one that bugs me...? Can I say eugenics/breeding a superbeing?

You can say whatever you want, I ain't stopping you. What do you mean by breeding a superbeing?

Changed it to ideal human to make it more understandable. more or less the "Übermensch" concept, or thinking that birthing someone with from athletic genes would guarantee them to be an athlete.

[Neutraligon]

I can add two...fear of Genetically modified foods and fear of nuclear power. Both of those are dangerous in different ways.

[Fanosolia]

I can add two...fear of Genetically modified foods and fear of nuclear power. Both of those are dangerous in different ways.

Crap how'd I forget about those two?! they're like hallmarks of NSG debate.

[Neutraligon]

I can add two...fear of Genetically modified foods and fear of nuclear power. Both of those are dangerous in different ways.

Crap how'd I forget about those two?! they're like hallmarks of NSG debate.

Oh yeah and denial of evolution.

[Fanosolia]

Crap how'd I forget about those two?! they're like hallmarks of NSG debate.

Oh yeah and denial of evolution.

oh that too. Though I don't know if that's as dangerous as not teaching it schools. Then again, this is coming from a person that went to a school that skipped that unit, but still!

[Neutraligon]

Oh yeah and denial of evolution.

oh that too. Though I don't know if that's as dangerous as not teaching it schools. Then again, this is coming from a person that went to a school that skipped that unit, but still!

Evolution is why we have bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

[MERIZoC]

I can add two...fear of Genetically modified foods and fear of nuclear power. Both of those are dangerous in different ways.

Speaking as someone who's not quite in favor of GMO's, and supportive of safe, regulated nuclear power, I'd say there are reasoned arguments to be had from both sides of both of those debates. Though, admittedly, many arguments are pretty stupid.

[Neutraligon]

I can add two...fear of Genetically modified foods and fear of nuclear power. Both of those are dangerous in different ways.

Speaking as someone who's not quite in favor of GMO's, and supportive of safe, regulated nuclear power, I'd say there are reasoned arguments to be had from both sides of both of those debates. Though, admittedly, many arguments are pretty stupid.

Hence why I specifically said fear of GMOs and fear of nuclear power. Questioning the safety of both is a different thing entirely and can be answered through experimentation for the first and good engineering for the second.

[Gauthier]

The morons who rant against vaccinations are sadly never the ones affected by the outcome.

[Benuty]

That people on the autism spectrum don't have empathy, and are responsible for a string of school shootings contrary to actual studies.

Of-course my favorite one is that either a) Mentally ill people deserve to be like this because they are moral failures. Or b) The mentally ill are violent, and cannot be trusted.

[Bezkoshtovnya]

Mine largely coincide with your two, though another big one for me is the GMO paranoia, especially when the government of one nation (Zambia) I think, in ignorance refused international aid and let the people starve as an alternative to accepting GMOs.

[Fanosolia]

oh that too. Though I don't know if that's as dangerous as not teaching it schools. Then again, this is coming from a person that went to a school that skipped that unit, but still!

Evolution is why we have bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

Fair point. I mean that's why It should be taught in schools, at least ones funded by the government, so then that misconception is less prevalent.

I guess I used poor word structure, sorry about that

[Napkiraly]

I can add two...fear of Genetically modified foods and fear of nuclear power. Both of those are dangerous in different ways.

Man you should read the comments on the HuffPost article about Bill Nye's reasons for changing his opinion of GMO's. Oy vey.

[Fanosolia]

That people on the autism spectrum don't have empathy, and are responsible for a string of school shootings contrary to actual studies.

Of-course my favorite one is that either a) Mentally ill people deserve to be like this because they are moral failures. Or b) The mentally ill are violent, and cannot be trusted.

Holy crap! Is that thing about the autism spectrum an actual thing that people think? That's revolting.

[Chazicaria]

GMOs. People act like they're responsible for damn-near every last medical ailment people can get, yet for 20 years, science has proven time and time again that they're definitely safe. Then, one asshole comes along (Seralini) and publishes a terribly performed study that he'd performed and that happens to show they cause huge tumors on rats. Nevermind the list of issues the study had, or the fact it was retracted eventually, but people still bought in to it.

Worse yet, eco-terrorists like Greenpeace have influenced foreign governments into regulating these crops and actively attacked fields that contain test crops, setting research back by months in some cases.

And don't even get me started on the miracle claims about organic food. Snake oil.

[Fanosolia]

GMOs. People act like they're responsible for damn-near every last medical ailment people can get, yet for 20 years, science has proven time and time again that they're definitely safe. Then, one asshole comes along (Seralini) and publishes a terribly performed study that he'd performed and that happens to show they cause huge tumors on rats. Nevermind the list of issues the study had, or the fact it was retracted eventually, but people still bought in to it.

Worse yet, eco-terrorists like Greenpeace have influenced foreign governments into regulating these crops and actively attacked fields that contain test crops, setting research back by months in some cases.

And don't even get me started on the miracle claims about organic food. Snake oil.

Naw man I got one for you. Grasswheat

[MERIZoC]

I can add two...fear of Genetically modified foods and fear of nuclear power. Both of those are dangerous in different ways.

Man you should read the comments on the HuffPost article about Bill Nye's reasons for changing his opinion of GMO's. Oy vey.

Hm. Seems he and I have somewhat similar views on the topic, though I'm a bit more skeptical about their necessity.

But yeah, the people saying the cause cancer or some bullshit like that are being ridiculous.

[MERIZoC]

GMOs. People act like they're responsible for damn-near every last medical ailment people can get, yet for 20 years, science has proven time and time again that they're definitely safe. Then, one asshole comes along (Seralini) and publishes a terribly performed study that he'd performed and that happens to show they cause huge tumors on rats. Nevermind the list of issues the study had, or the fact it was retracted eventually, but people still bought in to it.

Worse yet, eco-terrorists like Greenpeace have influenced foreign governments into regulating these crops and actively attacked fields that contain test crops, setting research back by months in some cases.

And don't even get me started on the miracle claims about organic food. Snake oil.

[Benuty]

That people on the autism spectrum don't have empathy, and are responsible for a string of school shootings contrary to actual studies.

Of-course my favorite one is that either a) Mentally ill people deserve to be like this because they are moral failures. Or b) The mentally ill are violent, and cannot be trusted.

Holy crap! Is that thing about the autism spectrum an actual thing that people think? That's revolting.

Unfortunately, yeah Penn Jillette of all people defended those with Asperger's when a host claimed they could potentially go off due to a video game addiction. This happened shortly after people started claiming Lanza had Aspergers, and not surprisingly people lost their shit (not in the good way either). Evidence has proven to the contrary that Lanza did not have Aspergers at all.