the challenge

the internet is full of "facts" that everyone seems to know, except some of them are completely made up

your task is simple: find a widely repeated "fact" that is demonstrably false, and prove it.

we're looking for something that has spread across multiple websites, articles, or other online sources as though it's established truth, despite credible evidence showing otherwise

requirements

your submission must include:

• the fake fact: clearly state the claim you're debunking
• evidence of its spread: link to at least 3 different websites or publications presenting the claim as factual
• the truth: explain why the claim is false, using credible evidence (ideally primary sources)
• your investigation: explain how you tracked down the misinformation and established what actually happened

we're particularly interested in surprising discoveries, obscure internet myths, and falsehoods that have been repeated so many times they've become accepted knowledge

please avoid extremely well-known myths that have already been debunked a thousand times

winner selection

the most compelling submission wins!

we'll prioritize:

• how surprising or interesting the false claim is
• how widely the misinformation has spread
• the strength of the evidence proving it false
• the originality and thoroughness of your investigation

deadline: 11:59pm PST November 2nd

one winner will be nominated by the bounty creator based on the criteria above + feedback from any contributors, winning payout will be subject to the normal 48-hour contributor voting process