How to Not Be Gullible

The curios case of Nathan Zohner’s science fair project

Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash

In 1997, 14-year-old Nathan Zohner used the science fair to alert his fellow citizens of a deadly, dangerous chemical.

In his report Dihydrogen Monoxide: The Unrecognized Killer, Nathan outlined all the alarming characteristics of the colorless, odorless, tasteless compound — DHMO for short — which kills thousands of Americans each year:

• DHMO can cause severe burns both while in gas and solid form.
• It is a major component of acid rain and often found in removed tumors of cancer patients.
• DHMO accelerates corrosion of both natural elements and many metals.
• Ingesting too much DHMO leads to excessive sweating and urination.
• For everyone with a dependency on DHMO, withdrawal leads to death.

After giving his presentation, Nathan asked 50 fellow students what should be done. 43 — a staggering 86% — voted to ban DHMO from school grounds.

There was only one problem: Dihydrogen monoxide is water.

Every day, people use facts to deceive you because you let them.

Life is hard. We all get fooled six ways from Sunday. People lie to us, we miscommunicate, and it’s impossible…