Author Description

We all know Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb... not quite. Well, surely there is no error about the witch burnings in colonial Salem, Massachusetts? Intriguing but wrong. Climate change caused by human activity, then? Surely this is a scientific certainty? Guess again. These are only a few of the beliefs accepted as common knowledge that are examined in this short and skeptical analysis of our cultural zeitgeist. Whether due to laziness, unquestioning acceptance of expert's claims, or effective propaganda programs, our minds are cluttered with many erroneous beliefs. Readers' reactions will vary from anger at challenges to strongly held beliefs to knowing nods at insights that support unpopular beliefs to "AHA" moments at novel insights. Much of what has become our cultural common knowledge is examined and possible reasons to question or alter our understanding are offered.