20 Outdated Facts Boomers Were Taught in School That Don’t Hold Up Today
Schools have always been a place of learning, but not everything taught stands the test of time. For Baby Boomers, education was filled with lessons we now know to be inaccurate or outright false.
From misunderstood science to debunked historical “facts,” these outdated teachings have been replaced with a better understanding of our world. Today, we’re taking a look at 20 things Boomers learned in school that no longer hold up.
Get ready to unlearn some “truths” that belong in the past!
“Columbus Discovered America”
Boomers learned that Christopher Columbus “discovered” America. In reality, indigenous people were here long before Columbus.
His arrival in 1492 wasn’t a discovery but a European encounter. It’s now widely recognized that this lesson ignores indigenous history.
Today, we understand the importance of acknowledging native cultures.
“Pluto is a Planet”
Boomers were taught Pluto was the ninth planet. In 2006, Pluto was reclassified as a “dwarf planet” by the IAU.
Our understanding of the solar system has expanded. Pluto’s status as a planet is no longer considered accurate.
It’s a prime example of how scientific classifications evolve.
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“You Need Cursive to Succeed”
Cursive handwriting was a staple in Boomer education. They were told it was essential for adulthood and professionalism.
With technology, cursive is rarely required today. Most people type more than they write by hand now.
Cursive, once essential, is becoming a lost art.
“Sugar Makes Kids Hyperactive”
Boomers learned that sugar makes kids “bounce off the walls.” However, studies show little evidence linking sugar and hyperactivity.
The belief still lingers, but science doesn’t back it up. Kids may get excited around treats, but sugar isn’t the main cause.
Modern research has debunked this sugar myth.
“Eat a Low-Fat Diet for Health”
Boomers were told that fat was the enemy of good health. Low-fat diets became a craze based on outdated science.
Now, we know healthy fats are vital for heart and brain health. Not all fats are bad, and many low-fat products are highly processed.
Nutritional science has evolved, embracing balance over restriction.
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“One Career Path is All You Need”
Boomers were taught to pick a career and stick with it. Today, changing careers is common and even encouraged.
The modern job market values adaptability and diverse skills. Staying in one job for life isn’t as necessary for success.
This single-career mindset feels outdated in today’s world.
“Saturn is the Only Planet with Rings”
In school, Boomers learned that Saturn had the only visible rings. We now know Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune also have rings.
Advances in space exploration have broadened our planetary knowledge. Saturn may have the most prominent rings, but it’s not alone.
This misconception is a reminder of how much we’re still learning.
“Eating Carrots Improves Night Vision”
Boomers were told that carrots help you see in the dark. This myth actually comes from World War II propaganda. Carrots contain vitamin A, which is good for eye health. However, they won’t magically improve night vision. The carrot myth is a classic example of enduring misinformation.
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“Humans Only Use 10% of Their Brains”
Boomers learned that 90% of the brain was “wasted.” Today, neuroscience has proven that we use nearly all our brain.
Different parts handle different tasks, but none are “unused.” This myth likely arose from misunderstandings in early brain studies.
We now understand the brain is active and complex.
“Diamonds are Rare and Precious”
Boomers learned diamonds were rare, increasing their value. However, diamonds are actually quite abundant.
Their rarity is largely a result of marketing by the diamond industry. Today, people are more aware of synthetic and alternative gemstones.
Diamonds are valuable, but their scarcity is largely a myth.
“The Food Pyramid is the Best Guide for Nutrition”
Boomers grew up with the USDA’s Food Pyramid. This pyramid promoted large amounts of bread and grains.
Today, we know that the Food Pyramid was unbalanced. Modern nutrition emphasizes variety and moderation over rigid structures.
New guidelines focus on whole foods rather than specific food groups.
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“Bats are Blind”
Boomers were often taught that bats are completely blind. While they use echolocation to navigate, they also have functional eyes.
Bats can see in low light, though not as well as some other animals. Echolocation is a superpower, but it’s not their only sense.
This myth doesn’t give bats enough credit for their vision.
“Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice”
Boomers heard that lightning avoids striking the same spot again. In reality, lightning frequently strikes tall objects multiple times.
For example, the Empire State Building is hit several times a year. This myth likely started to reduce fear of lightning.
It’s now known that lightning can and does strike the same place.
“Vikings Wore Horned Helmets”
Boomers were taught that Vikings wore iconic horned helmets. Historians now agree that Vikings did not actually wear horns.
This image comes from 19th-century opera costumes. Real Viking helmets were simpler and more functional.
The horned helmet is just a dramatic myth.
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“Swimming After Eating Causes Cramps”
Boomers grew up hearing they shouldn’t swim after eating. Today, we know that eating before swimming doesn’t cause cramps.
Mild activity is usually safe after eating. This myth likely started from parents’ caution.
Modern science shows it’s fine to swim after a meal.
“Blood is Blue Inside the Body”
Boomers learned that blood is blue until it hits oxygen. In reality, blood is always red, whether oxygenated or not.
Veins may appear blue due to light absorption through skin. This color misconception has been widely debunked.
The red color is just less intense without oxygen.
“The Great Wall of China is Visible from Space”
Boomers heard the Great Wall could be seen from the moon. NASA has clarified that the wall isn’t visible from space without aid.
It’s too narrow and blends in with natural surroundings. This myth was a product of exaggerated accounts.
Today, we know it’s just one of many large structures on Earth.
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“Einstein Failed Math in School”
Boomers were often told Einstein struggled with math as a student. Records show he excelled in math, even at a young age. This myth likely started to inspire students struggling in school. Einstein’s real struggles were in other areas of interest.
We now know he was a math prodigy, not a failure.
“Goldfish Have a Three-Second Memory”
Boomers learned that goldfish have extremely short memories. Recent studies have shown that goldfish can remember for months.
They can even recognize patterns and perform tricks. This memory myth sells goldfish short.
Today, we know they’re much more capable than once believed.
“Evolution is Just a Theory”
Boomers were sometimes taught that evolution is “just a theory.” In science, a “theory” is a well-supported explanation, not a guess.
Evolution has extensive evidence from genetics, fossils, and biology. The term “theory” is often misunderstood in non-scientific contexts.
Today, evolution is widely accepted and scientifically supported.
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