A Patient Guy Proved Why Facebook “Researchers” Are Usually Wrong

Humans sure are funny…

Even when faced with a million signs that indicate the opposite, we always like to think we know best.

One guy recently broke down the reason why it’s nearly always a fallacy to believe that someone could use common sense to defy or disprove scientific research.

In fact, he says that someone believing they could criticize mathematical or scientific research just by applying their own “common sense” logic to it is basically behaving the same way a five-year-old does.

In other words… just because you think you’re smart doesn’t mean you are.

This guy would even say we’re all quite stupid.

Photo Credit: Cheezburger

If you’re anything like me, you might already have questions. Like, perhaps, what is an Elo rated player?

The Elo rating system is what’s used to calculate the skill levels of players in zero-sum games like chess.

Photo Credit: Cheezburger

So far, he’s just saying that basically… the better you are at something, the more likely you are to beat people at that particular thing.

That makes sense.

Photo Credit: Cheezburger

So basically, it doesn’t matter if a chess master is playing an adult who has also played chess for years or a five-year-old who has never picked up a rook.

The chess master will beat them both.

Photo Credit: Cheezburger

One can assume that this also holds true for masters in a variety of different fields.

Photo Credit: Cheezburger

The conclusion?

This is why the idea that one could use common sense to discredit research is ludicrous.

Photo Credit: Cheezburger

Not only would you be wrong, you wouldn’t even understand why you’re wrong.

Yikes.

Photo Credit: Cheezburger

We probably all know a Facebook “researcher” or two these days!

Don’t forget to share this one with your friends, and let us know how it goes in the comments!

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August 12, 2020

Scientists Put Together the Largest Map of the Universe Ever and It Is a Sight to Behold

Astronomers who work on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey have released a brand-new 3D map of the entire universe.

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey is a decades-long project that has only had one goal: to map the universe. Now, it seems that they’ve managed to produce the largest-ever map to date.

Over 100 scientists have been working on the project, and the mapped over two million galaxies and quasars while doing so.

The scientists placed the Earth at the center of the map.

We are located at the center of this map. As we look out in distance, we look back in time.

When looking at this map, we see the light that is arriving on Earth from other galaxies. That light takes a long time to reach our planet. For example, it takes 2.5 million years from light from the Andromeda Galaxy to reach us here on our planet.

The map also shows other galaxies that are different distances from our home planet.

The scientists also explain that they use a “cosmic distance ladder” to figure out how far away a galaxy is.

This method depends on making accurate measurements of distances to nearby galaxies and then moving to galaxies farther and farther away, using their stars as milepost markers.

Astronomers use these values, along with other measurements of the galaxies’ light that reddens as it passes through a stretching universe, to calculate how fast the cosmos expands with time, a value known as the Hubble constant.

All of this going over your head a bit? Yeah, us too.

So here’s a video to explain more…

Isn’t this information amazing? Don’t forget to share the map with your friends, and let us know what you think about it in the comments!

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August 7, 2020

Did You Get Mystery Seeds From China in the Mail? Here’s What You Should Do.

Getting an unexpected delivery in the mail can be exciting, but for Virginia residents, a recent string of strange packages has caused more controversy than smiles.

Several people have received packages of seeds in the mail without even ordering them.

Photo Credit: Twitter

Suspected to originate from China, the seeds shouldn’t be planted, at least according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).

“The types of seeds in the packages are unknown at this time and may be invasive plant species.

The packages were sent by mail and may have Chinese writing on them.”

According to the VDACS, invasive species wreak havoc on the environment by displacing or destroying native plants and insects and severely damaging crops.

Photo Credit: Twitter

The best way to avoid future problems is by simply not planting the unsolicited seeds. Failure to comply could result in invasive species infestations that can be quite costly to control and eliminate.

Anyone who receives a package containing these strange seeds should contact the Office of Plant Industry Services (OPIS) by calling 804-786-3515. You can also file a report via email at ReportAPest@vdacs.virginia.gov.

While nobody knows exactly where the seeds originate, the Better Business Bureau does have an idea. The BBB believes that the packages could be part of a customer review scam.

Photo Credit: Twitter

Many companies ship cheap items to people in order to write a fake review on behalf of the resident.

The problem has also made its way to Utah. Jane Rupp, president of the state’s BBB chapter, offered some helpful advice to anyone who receives some unsolicited seeds in the mail:

“The first thing to do is Google your address and see what’s out there.

Numerous things will come up when you Google your address. It’s kind of scary sometimes.”

So if you happen to receive a strange package that you didn’t order, it’s best to file a report and follow the advice of the experts.

Photo Credit: Twitter

The last thing we need right now is a plant pandemic.

Have you ever received something you didn’t order in the mail? Has a company tried to pull a quick one on you?

Tell us your experience in the comments below!

The post Did You Get Mystery Seeds From China in the Mail? Here’s What You Should Do. appeared first on UberFacts.

August 7, 2020

This TikTok Video Shows That Whatever Word You Read, You Will Also Hear

Brainteasers are a fun way to pass the time, especially for those of us who are stuck at home.

Do you remember the Yanni/Laurel and black/gold dress controversies from a few years back? Well, there’s a new audio illusion in town and a simple explanation as to how your brain deciphers messages along with it.

First, give it a try. It’s easy to do—just read one of the words you see in the video posted by @emilysophie.m, and that’s the word you’ll hear every time.

This is crazy. How? pic.twitter.com/r2Ylpf9a2x

— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) July 27, 2020

So, what makes this happen? According to science, something called the McGurk Effect. It’s a phenomenon of perception that demonstrates how your hearing, vision, and speech interact with each other. It occurs when what you hear is paired with what you see, leading to the perception of a sound that only exists as you read the word.

In other words, your visual informs what you hear. In this case, both words are being said at the same time at different frequencies, and your brain is filling in the blanks.

Of course, like Yanni/Laurel and the black or gold dress, this illusion also went viral across social media, with people from all walks of life weighing in. While most people came out on one side or the other, some didn’t hear anything.

Nope. Hear the same thing every time regardless of what I read or close my eyes.
What a load of tosh man. Move on, nothing to see here

— Rõ̶͚̪͔͝bert Hollings (AKA Western Fox) (@hollingsuk) July 28, 2020

And some only heard one word, no matter what they read.

I read brainstorm, twice n both times I heard green needle

— This_Dan_ (@ThisDan1) July 28, 2020

And, well…

I hear “brain needle.” Do I need to see a doctor?

— Terry Wayne Carpenter, Jr. (@TJCarpenterShow) July 28, 2020

To be fair, the McGurk Effect doesn’t work for everyone. This can be chalked up to having different hearing abilities or brain processes.

Which word did you hear? Let us know in the comments below!

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August 7, 2020

Great Facts That We Think Will Impress You

It can be hard to sort through the endless information out there on social media and the Internet.

Where’s the good stuff? The interesting stuff? Heck, where’s the REAL stuff?

It saved their lives.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

Now we want to hear from you!

Have you seen anything online lately that has really impressed you?

Facts? Stories? Charts? Great photos?

Please share them with us in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!

The post Great Facts That We Think Will Impress You appeared first on UberFacts.

August 7, 2020

10 Interesting Facts for You to Enjoy Today

We all need a break…a FACT break, that is!

They’re still kind of worshipped, aren’t they?

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

How about you?

Have you seen any facts or interesting stories lately that have really caught your eye?

Share them with us in the comments.

Please and thank you!

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August 7, 2020

Fascinating Facts That’ll Make You Think

Ready to put your thinking cap on?

I know I sure am!

That sounds like a very loud cat!

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

Now we want to hear from you.

Have you seen any really interesting facts or articles lately?

If so, please share them with us in the comments.

Thanks in advance!

The post Fascinating Facts That’ll Make You Think appeared first on UberFacts.

August 3, 2020

These Insects Preserved in Amber Are Still Glowing Nearly 100 Million Years Later

Scientists can learn so much from studying fossils. But these precious pieces of preserved life still leave us those science sleuths with many unanswered questions.

For example, scientists can’t tell what color an animal was based on just a fossil. Luckily, though, there are exceptional cases that do allow scientists to glean more information than what happens in most cases.

Photo Credit: NIGPAS

Recently, a team of researchers at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology published a paper in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. And in doing so, the group successfully identified the true colors of three ancient insects that have been preserved in amber.

Incredibly, the insects have been on Earth for quite some time—99 million years to be exact (kind of). By staying preserved in amber, scientists have been able to see their true color, which certainly represents a rarity in the field of fossils.

James Lamsdell, a University of West Virginia paleobiologist who was not involved in the research, said…

“The way that the color is preserved in these things is really remarkable.

There have been reports of color in the fossil record before, but often what we’re looking at is not the true color, because it’s been changed by the fossilization process.”

Though in some cases finding the true color proved difficult, Lamsdell explained that scientists can gather clues from the cellular structure of the exoskeleton and extrapolate what the color most likely was.

Photo Credit: NIGPAS

However, in this case, after polishing the amber off the specimens, scientists could see blue, green, and purple colors when viewing the insects.

While the discovery certainly deserves attention, it also brought up a potential downside. Because amber comes from the sap produced by trees in Myanmar’s Kachin state, that means harvesting amber has become a lucrative business that can have a negative effect on the environment.

Photo Credit: NIGPAS

Perhaps in showcasing these awe-inspiring insects, scientists have also shed light on the potential dangers of amber harvesting.

Have you ever taken a look at fossils back in science class or at a museum? What interests you in learning about ancient animals? Tell us more in the comments below!

The post These Insects Preserved in Amber Are Still Glowing Nearly 100 Million Years Later appeared first on UberFacts.

August 1, 2020

8 Ways to Stay Cool, Even Without an Air Conditioner

In the peak of summer, going outside can feel like stepping straight into a sauna. Five minutes of the oppressive rays and heat are enough to make even the hardiest person wilt.

If you don’t have an air conditioned space to retreat to – or you need to stay outside for some reason – here are 8 ways to beat the heat.

8. Utilize your pulse points.

Image Credit: Pexels

Your pulse points are where you can feel your pulse, because the blood vessels there are positioned close to the surface.

If you apply ice or a cold cloth there, your body will get cooler faster – check your neck, wrists, the insides of your elbows and knees, the tops of your feet, the insides of your ankles, your inner thighs, and in front of your ears.

7. Close the curtains.

Image Credit: Pexels

Some people estimate that around 30% of unwanted heat comes in through the windows, so if your house is feeling overly warm, make it as dark as possible.

6. Exercise near a lake.

Image Credit: Pexels

Summer is no excuse for not being healthy, but you can stay at least a little cooler by running next to a lake, river, or ocean, since bodies of water cool the surrounding area at least a few degrees.

5. Create a wind tunnel.

Image Credit: Pexels

If you don’t have an attic fan, you can still do this – open windows on the opposite sides of your house or apartment, then place a fan inward on one side, outward on the opposite.

4. Hang a damp sheet in front of an open window.

Image Credit: Pexels

Double your money by hanging a damp sheet in front of your incoming wind tunnel window – the air stream traveling through your house will be even cooler.

3. Check your fans.

Image Credit: Pexels

Your ceiling fans should spin counter-clockwise, helping to create a downward breeze.

In winter, they should go the opposite way, which forces air upward so warmer air can circulate.

2. Menthol is your friend.

Image Credit: Imgur

No, not cigarettes – those aren’t your friends – but the menthol in things like peppermint trick our bodies into feeling cool.

If you brew some peppermint tea, cool it, then spray it on your skin from a bottle, you’ll feel relief!

1. Repurpose your hot water bottle.

Image Credit: Pexels

If you can’t sleep, fill your hot water bottle with ice water and place it under your ankles and/or knees. It will cool your body and help you crash for the night.

I’m definitely going to keep these in my back pocket!

What are your tips for staying cool in the middle of summer? Share them with us in the comments!

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August 1, 2020

Letting Spiders Live Can Actually Help Out in Your Home

We’ve all encountered a spider or two in our homes. And in most cases, we kill it as quickly as we found it.

But in actuality, letting those scary-looking creatures live could actually benefit your home. While spiders may send fear down your spine, they play an important part in our indoor ecosystem.

Photo Credit: Pexels

Though most people would like to believe that spiders exist only in nature, they can be found in most homes. Whether accidentally trapped or simply stopping by for an unwelcomed visit, spiders will take up residence in your home.

And while that may seem sinister, it actually is a great thing for your home.

Matt Bertone and his colleagues conducted a visual survey of 50 North Carolina homes to determine just exactly what type of arachnids live under people’s roofs. It turns out that every home had spiders crawling around.

Photo Credit: Pexels

The most common species they found were cobweb spiders and cellar spiders—both of which build webs in order to trap potential prey. Cellar spiders take things a step further by mimicking prey in order to trick their cousins into becoming dinner.

So how does letting spiders live benefit your home?

Well, spiders capture nuisance pests and disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes that could pose a potential problem for you and the rest of the inhabitants in your home.

In fact, there’s even a species of jumping spiders that specifically like to dine on blood-filled mosquitoes.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

In most cases, spiders present no real harm to humans. So even if you encounter a spider the next time you’re cleaning out your cluttered closet, consider letting it live so that the natural ecosystem can continue thriving.

And if you really can’t stomach the thought of a spider residing in your home, at least capture and release it outside.

Do you have a fear of spiders? What do you do when you encounter one in your home?

Tell us more in the comments below!

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