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40 Facts And Theories Spread By Corporations That Have Been Proven To Be Fake Yet People Still Believe To Be True
Every day, companies bombard us with information. From new product launches and appealing adverts to very big statements and generous promises backed up by questionable research at best, they still manage to earn our trust up to a point we don’t question them.
But this illuminating thread from Ask Reddit challenges the things we take for granted and debunks the myths created by big corporations. "What do most people believe that is actually a myth created by corporate companies?" someone asked and the eye-opening responses started pouring in.
From big pharma to the sugar industry, it’s hard to wrap your head around the fact that we may be believing in stuff that benefits no one except the ones who are earning big money.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
The McDonald's Hot Coffee woman wasn't some kind of trashy scammer, she was an elderly woman who had incredibly bad burns and could have possibly died as a result of health complications. McDonald's launched a covert campaign to make it seem like she was just trying to make some quick cash as part of a trend of frivolous lawsuits.
Edit: For anyone who says "It was just a little burn that she is responsible for" The coffee gave her 3rd degree burns and literally melted her flesh, fusing part of her genitals to her leg which required massive reconstructive surgery and hospitalization.
Katie Lutesinger 2 years ago
And she didn't even demand a big payout - just enough to cover her medical bills, which McDonald's refused to pay. She wasn't the only one to have been burned, either. At the time they were notorious for keeping their coffee at dangerously high temperatures.
#2
That the public is responsible for all the plastic pollution.
Anybody remember that ad campaign with the crying Indian guy? Before then soda companies were selling their soda in nice easily wash-n-reuse glass bottles. When they made the switch to plastic because it was cheaper, and the garbage started to collect, they decided to shift the blame onto YOU the consumer.
Eric C. 2 years ago
Something like 80-90% of pollution is industrially generated. Consumer generated pollution is relatively small. Even if every consumer / person on the planet were being as responsible as possible with regard to garbage disposal / pollution, the problem would still be enormous.
There have been an abundance of corporate-related scandals where big companies made big promises, only for them to turn out as a bunch of lies. Today, however, customers are no longer fooled that easily and they’re more informed and opinionated than ever before.
When corporations are called out and their claims are revealed to be smoke and mirrors, it gives them two options: to either arm themselves with more lies and further live in oblivion, or to take it as a chance to learn from mistakes.
#4
That it's in YOUR best interest to keep your rate of pay a secret, when in fact it's exactly the opposite. If it's taboo to talk about how two employees doing exactly the same job can be paid wildly different wages.
#5
“Buy our split end repairing shampoo and conditioner! It’ll get all of those pesky split ends!!!”
Once the end is split it’s split. How is a shampoo supposed bring the ends back together? The only way to get rid of split ends is to cut your hair.
#6
That diamonds are actually rare making them expensive and that an engagement ring should be 3 months salary. Screw you Debeers.
Greenwashing is one such example. To find out more about it and other deceptive practices corporations use, Bored Panda reached out to Dr. Audrey Tang, a chartered psychologist and author of multiple books, including "Be A Great Manager Now", "The Leader's Guide to Mindfulness," and "The Leader's Guide to Resilience.”
“It happens often that companies, rather than make sincere efforts to promote a healthier environment, spend more on 'appearing green' – Nestle, Charmin and car companies such as Mercedes-Benz were called out in Truth in Advertising for exaggerated environmentally friendly claims,” Tang explained.
#7
That you should devote 5 days a week to the company you work for and only 2 days a week for yourself. You should be spending the majority of your life with family and friends, doing what you enjoy. Not slaving away for someone else.
#8
That Vitamin Water is actually healthy for you. 120 Calories, most of that sugar.
Wysteria_Rose 2 years ago
I think I read an article where a cocacola marketer (who make these drinks) said something like, "well, we never said the words healthy when selling them."
However, Tang argues that since the ensuing regulation was passed to ensure tougher scrutiny of green advertising and compliance to green practice, many companies are making a genuine shift to sustainability.
Other companies take it as a chance to learn from their mistakes and genuinely make a public stand. “Mercedes-Benz is this year fielding a black car in Formula1 with the hashtag #weraceasone, to fight racism,” Tang said.
“But therein lies the difference – a public stand can help a brand; weighing in where there is no personal nor genuine connection can be seen as profiteering,” she explained.
#10
Apparently big Sugar companies pushed the agenda that Fat is the cause for all your health and weight problems.
Bob D. Lin Quint 2 years ago
I've seen candy with "fat free" on it ffs. Carbs. Carbs and salt is whats killing us
#11
The alpha and beta wolves thing showing a hierarchy of people. No, they were actually just wolf parents parenting their pups. The researcher even went back in a book and explained he was wrong. So next time you're called "alpha" or "beta" it doesn't actually exist.
#12
If you truly loved them, than it is absolutely *essential* to spend an outrageous sum of money on a box to bury in the ground. The average price in the U.S. for a coffin in $2,100.
We have also seen big names such as Coca Cola boycotting Facebook and other social media advertising to take a stand on tighter regulation of posts. Tang argues that learning is the best possible outcome.
There are many things we can all do to promote change as needed. Tang argues that one such practice is campaigning and protesting. “I absolutely do and have made a stand with #blacklivesmatter and #pride to name but a couple of communities I support outside of my own (i.e. #mentalhealth),” Tang explained.
#13
That expiration dates on food products are this black and white rule as to whether something is good or bad. The FDA doesn’t require expiration dates and are completely up to the discretion of the manufacturer.
It’s a tactic to get you to buy/consume more.
#14
Scented feminine hygiene products are needed because you smell bad.
“My own work is advocacy-based – I write, I teach, I podcast, I train – and maybe I might change one person’s mind and get them to look after themselves a little better,” Tang said and added that “it’s why I try and ensure everything I do has a practical element – a call to action, something we can DO to make a difference. Cancel culture is of greatest use if it is transformational – if it brings with it an option of change,” she explained.
#17
that “organic” label doesn’t mean it’s actually “healthy”
Zenozenobee 2 years ago (edited)
I read a French study a couple of years ago. Among the two groups , the one eating organic end up in better shape. Yet, what the study shows in fact is that the groupe eating organic for the test seems to have been more carefull with their health. Apparently, the fact they eat something they thought " healthy" got them to make effort for their health. More people of this group stopped smoking and start exercising. The conclusion of this study was that eating organic got a good influence on health but because it can raise awarness of people about the choices they make. Again, it's only one study, so, not an absolut thruth, but the conclusion is interesting.
#18
Natural, healthy human teeth are more yellow than white. This is because teeth appeared whiter on Black and White film, and stars began to dye/bleach them whiter to match how they appeared on film.
In 1918, it was discovered that a heated lamp in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide would lighten teeth. A dentist in the late 1960’s discovered that after prescribing an overnight soak in carbamide peroxide, the teeth were significantly whiter.
Vix Spiderthrust 2 years ago
Teeth aren't naturally white, they're the colour of ivory. Because...they're ivory.
While it’s always appealing to cancel brands, corporations and people who made mistakes, it’s important to realize that cancel culture, just like judgement, is often rooted in anger. “One side shouting and another covering their ears and shouting back – like Brexit and instead of listening and processing, the opposing side simply nods and raises their voice,” Tang explained.
“Sometimes these two groups are fighting the same side, and through recognizing their allegiance may be made all the stronger. Don’t cut the nose to spite the face,” she added.
#20
When someone dies their family has no legal reason to pay their debts. It is a myth that the banking industry isn't about to correct.
#21
The food pyramid.
Falcon 2 years ago
The whole food thing is so strange to me. I've read so many articles about certain foods being really bad for you. Then, like a year later, another one telling me how good the same food for my health is. I've stopped reading those articles and use common sense to choose what I eat.
#22
People forget that college is a business. To make money.
It has its place, of course, but the intense pressure for EVERYone to attend is completely insane to me, especially considering the need for tradespeople.
#23
Gluten free is better than with gluten for everyone. Physiologically it only helps coeliacs or those with mild sensitivity to gluten. According to the research so far doesn't make a difference in anybody else. And yet the gluten free market went up like crazy
#24
Here in Sweden there is an extremely persistent myth that you *should* eat 6-8 slices of bread every day.
That was a commercial campaign by a bread manufacturer. Some way they managed to get the Public Health Institute to pass that myth on. It was like 50 years ago, and that myth still lives!
I'm so sick and tired of that myth.
I also think the "6-8 slices of bread a day" campaign has been one of the most successful examples in world history of myths created by corporate companies.
#25
We actually don’t need a lot of toothpaste on the brush, but companies advertise using a whole bunch in commercials to make you run out faster.
Paula Pattison 2 years ago
But they say on the tube "pea sized". Yes they want to make more money, they are not a charity and it is not their fault you don't read the instructions.
#26
Telling people your salary will make people think less of you. In reality sharing your salary especially with coworkers with the same/similar positions will allow you to negotiate for a higher wage or even form a union with ease
#27
Eating carrots does not improve one's vision.
The British government put this out as an explanation as to why their (supposedly carrot-eating) RAF pilots were able to shoot down enemy Luftwaffe fighters before being detected by the enemy.
The truth has nothing to do with carrots. The British had invented a primitive form of radar and didn't want the Nazis knowing about it.
Laura Ketteridge 2 years ago
Carrots contain beta-carotene. The body uses this to create Vitamin A. This is essential for eye health. Whilst it won't cure sight problems, it can help prevent others.
#28
You lose your warranty if you break the tamper seal (ie. “Warranty void of seal is broken” stickers).
“... warranty conditions that forbid consumers from opening or repairing their devices are illegal under a provision of the 1975 Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act”
https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/gv5ddm/warranty-void-if-removed-stickers-are-illegal
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/04/ftc-staff-warns-companies-it-illegal-condition-warranty-coverage
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/16/700.10
#29
That eating fat (as in the macronutrient in general) makes you fat. This is why we have so many low-fat or reduced-fat versions of foods where the fat is just replaced with cheap sugar, and sugar actually makes you fat.
It all boils down to the marketing. The issue lies within foods being sold as low-fat substitutes of the original and being marketed as healthier options, when really, the fat is substituted for sugar, which can be even worse for you.
To all the people saying what do you mean? fat is 9 calories per gram and sugar is 4. Correct. But do you think it's better to eat 9 cals of fat, or sub it with 9 cals of sugar. Eating fat is actual required for your body to burn fat, and is vital for all types of bodily functions. Sugar, on the other hand, skyrockets your blood glucose, resulting in the secretion of insulin, and when insulin is high, it's much harder to burn fat.
If you cut all the fat from your diet, you can have hormonal issues, potential joint pain, s**t digestion, no libido. Cut all the sugar (not carbs in general, just processed sugar) and you'll probably lose some weight and feel awesome!
We can go on for days here. The point is, if you're going to opt for a low-fat version of a food, take a peek at the ingredients and see what you're consuming instead!
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Eating fat can make you fat. Eating too much of ANYTHING will do it, even if you're only consuming whey protein shakes in almond milk.
#30
That GMO is bad, courtesy of the organic farming industry.
#31
‘Drink 3 litres of water per day’ is a complete myth with no scientific backing, created by water bottle companies. Yes, it’s important to drink water, but once you get past a certain point all you’re doing is spending money for something that goes in, does nothing, and then gets excreted.
CalicoKitty 2 years ago
Three litres a day is a great way to make a very small person go to the toilet very often.
#32
That if you work hard, keep your head down and do the right thing - corporations will reward you as being a valued member of the company.
about 15 years after you've joined the grad programme you realise that is the ultimate way to get exploited by a company and not how (m)any bosses got their positions :-)
Smart people should work for themselves or creative industries ...
Barbara Kayton 2 years ago
Entrepreneurialism is a myth created by MLMs and pyramid schemes. Know your worth, don’t fall for the employer tricks to underpay you, but definitely don’t be deceived by the network marketing companies either. No matter what spiel they give you, if you can’t afford their products and programs comfortably on your current salary, you will lose money - or even go broke. And their health and wellness certifications are c**p. - you can literally kill someone if you don’t have extensive knowledge of medicine if you sell them vitamins or supplements. Vitamins and supplements are 1) unregulated, and 2) based on a theory that was never properly peer reviewed; and evidence is showing that if you don’t medically need them, they can be harmful or even deadly.
#33
There’s this weird idea among some women that pads are inferior to tampons, or that only young girls or virgins use pads. This was actually perpetuated by tampon companies in the 60s or 70s I believe, when the link between Toxic Shock Syndrome and tampons was made. Pad companies latched onto this and started marketing their product as cleaner, so tampon companies countered by marketing their product as for mature, professional women. This was particularly effective at the height of Second Wave feminism when women were struggling to be taken more seriously in the workplace. So effective that this perception still exists today even though there’s no logical basis and no one even really knows WHY they think this way. You can sort of still see it in commercials today, where pad commercials are usually just someone pouring blue liquid on a pad while in tampon commercials there’s usually a woman dancing around or playing a sport or something equally not fun to do while you’re on your period.
InvincibleRodent 2 years ago
.... now that I think about it, I've never seen a TV- or youtube ad for a menstrual cup. I've only ever heard about one through word of mouth, even though in a lot of cases, most people I know (myself included) have objectively better experiences with it, and are not likely to go back to disposable products. That's more than likely the reason companies aren't very eager to promote it, lol
#34
"When you care enough to send the very best," you'd better make it a Hallmark card.
Hallmark wants you to believe that sending their expensive greeting cards somehow proves your feelings for someone else.
#35
Change your oil every 3,000 miles or 3 months. Was created by car repair shops to gain more business. Motor oil companies say you can go 5000-7500 miles or 6 months. Owners manuals even say it.
As a mechanic here is my 2 cents. Change that oil and filter twice a year, first week of spring and first week of fall. Do a motor flush once every 2 years. Splurge on tires when it’s time to replace and try to get ethanol free gas if you can, if you can’t, use a fuel additive once a month. Don’t forget about your spark plugs, they are the most underrated component on your engine.
#36
That you can shrink your pores.
Ashley Schriber 2 years ago
When my mother was in school, the boys had shop class while the girls had "home ec." One of the things the girls learned was how to wash their faces. Hot water supposedly "opened the pores" and so you were supposed to start with hot water. Then when the pores were nice and open, you were supposed to use cleanser, then use cold water to "close the pores." Meanwhile, the boys were learning how to build stuff. Good times.
#37
Christmas and Easter as we know it were mostly designed in the 1950s.
Vix Spiderthrust 2 years ago (edited)
Christmas was largely designed by Charles Dickens. Trees and cards also date to the Victorian era.
#38
“We’ll stand by our warranty” —Circuit City one week before they closed.
#39
This has already been stated, but milk is not good for bones nor does it have amazing health benefits. I love milk but it was all created by the big milk companies to push out more milk. They even did a study back in like the 50s or 60s where they had women lose weight with healthy diet that included milk and tried to say it was the milk that helped the weight loss... Pretty sure it was the low calorie, veggie based meals they had with that milk.
Along that line of thought, most "diet" foods or processed foods designed to be "healthy" usually aren't healthier at all. They just wanted to Target both health concious and non health concious people at once. If it comes in a box, it probably still kinda bad for you. The best option is always gonna be whole foods with the least processing. But that doesn't make people money.
Which leads to another big corporate lie: the fad diets that sell things like detox teas and diet pills. A lot of people may claim that "diets never work" and "you can't lose weight by just eating less and exercising" but that's just cause that kind of weight loss doesn't lead to profits for them. So they try to make you think you can't do it yourself, you have to pay money for pills and plans and drinks that will do the work for you.
AwesomeLeoWife 2 years ago
This is flat out incorrect. Milk is an excellent source of calcium (yes I know there are others) which is needed to maintain bone density, helps blood clotting and other heart related things. The vitamin D that is also present in milk helps the body absorb this calcium too. This is why milk is promoted because it’s a “one-stop shop” for these vital nutrients.
#40
That fats are generally bad for you.
What do you think ?
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Cholesterol. It's correlative, not proven causative. My pet peeve. And they tend to skip the mention of neuromuscular damage from the popular drugs. Not saying, eat high fat, but honestly, your total cholesterol is less indicative than your high density lipids (HDL) vs low density and triglycerides.
Steve Kenney 2 years ago
"Laundry scent boosters" are the current idea I find maddening. This idea that your clothes don't come out of the laundry "Smelling clean" I don't want to know the person who wears their underwear more then once because it doesn't smell dirty
Will Cable 2 years ago (edited)
One thing irritating me is how all the motor companies are coming out with EV's and talk about how environmental they are YET you have headlights and tail lights that if LEDs fail you have to replace the whole unit which isn't envirnmental compared to replacing a bulb in an older car. All the waste from them for tiny little faults and engineers/mechanics finding it absurd.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
My pet on EVs is that electricity for them is *still produced using Big Fossil Fuel*. So what's the point? Less emissions at the car, but still there at every re-charge, at the production line, and so forth. Ugh.
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Cholesterol. It's correlative, not proven causative. My pet peeve. And they tend to skip the mention of neuromuscular damage from the popular drugs. Not saying, eat high fat, but honestly, your total cholesterol is less indicative than your high density lipids (HDL) vs low density and triglycerides.
Steve Kenney 2 years ago
"Laundry scent boosters" are the current idea I find maddening. This idea that your clothes don't come out of the laundry "Smelling clean" I don't want to know the person who wears their underwear more then once because it doesn't smell dirty
Will Cable 2 years ago (edited)
One thing irritating me is how all the motor companies are coming out with EV's and talk about how environmental they are YET you have headlights and tail lights that if LEDs fail you have to replace the whole unit which isn't envirnmental compared to replacing a bulb in an older car. All the waste from them for tiny little faults and engineers/mechanics finding it absurd.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
My pet on EVs is that electricity for them is *still produced using Big Fossil Fuel*. So what's the point? Less emissions at the car, but still there at every re-charge, at the production line, and so forth. Ugh.
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