myths busted

For some reason I like stories and articles that focus on disproving commonly held beliefs. I don't know if it is arrogance in that I get to think that I know something that most people don't or just a great love for the truth. It is probably a little bit of both, but I would like to think it is because I love the truth.

I already mentioned that I like reading Snopes regularly to keep up on what urban legends and email lore has some truth to it. I also enjoy watching MythBusters on occasion to get an understanding of the types of stories that people are propagating. Once in a while those two surprise me and illustrate that something I didn't think was possible actually is as well.

As an extension of that, I have been keeping up with a series that John Stossel has been doing on ABCNews.com to promote his new book Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity. The "myth" that is on the site today is that giving aid money to people in need in most African nations will do any good. Stossel believes that almost all the money ends up lining corrupt leaders' pockets. That's a little more political than I am completely comfortable with, but it is an angle that I haven't heard too many people advocate since it discourages charity giving.

This excerpt from the book focuses on the inability of media to discern scientific truth, ans so falls right in line with my enjoyment for MythBusters. I'll probably put this book on my birthday list. It should help me enjoy my arrogance.