Science-Related Myths and Urban Legends

Here you will find a collection of science-related myths that I have encountered.  This is not intended to be an exhaustive list.  Many of the myths I believed at one time or another, some as recently as this year.  If you are interested and have questions about any of them, feel free to email me.  Here they are, in no particular order and without qualification:

• Eating carrots improves vision.
• Saccharin causes cancer.
• Carbon-14 is used to date the age of the Earth.
• Bottled water is safer than tap water.
• Irreducible complexity theory is unscientific.
• Science can only investigate the natural, physical world.
• The Earth is a few thousand years old.
• Noah's flood was global.
• The universe is infinite.
• Recycling paper and plastic is good for the environment.
• Hybrid cars are better for the environment than other cars and SUVs.
• Chemicals are bad for you.
• Organic farmers do not use pesticides.
• Organic food is healthier than "non-Organic" food.
• DDT weakens bird egg shells.