When it comes to tech myths, I’ve heard ‘em all. That’s why I’m here to help you keep a handle on what’s real and what’s not. Before we dive in, just a few reminders: Macs can get viruses, closing apps will not save battery life, and your smartphone’s memory doesn’t die after two years.
Myth: Streaming in 4K always gives you the best quality.
Fact: Nope! If your internet connection isn’t fast enough, your stream will buffer or downgrade to a lower resolution. Some services use aggressive compression, too, so a well-encoded 1080p stream looks better than a heavily compressed 4K one.
Myth: Smartwatches track with medical-grade accuracy.
Fact: The sensors built into new smartwatches can monitor your heart rate, sleep and oxygen levels, and they can detect irregular heart rhythms, but they’re not replacements for medical devices. Think of them instead as a device that provides trends, not specifics. If you’re worried about something, consult your doctor and not your wrist.
Myth: AI understands what it's saying.
Fact: AI doesn’t “think” like humans do — at least, not yet. It predicts the most likely next word based on patterns, but it has no true understanding or emotions. It’s like a really advanced autocomplete, not a sentient being. That said, the new reasoning models coming soon could change that.
Myth: 5G causes cancer.
Fact: The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health agencies have done extensive research and found no adverse health effects linked to 5G. It uses the same type of nonionizing radio frequencies as 4G and Wi‑Fi, neither of which damages our DNA or cells.
Myth: Using a magnet near your computer could result in your PC’s instant death.
Fact: Today's solid-state drives (SSDs) aren't phased. This myth hearkens back to floppy disks, which could be wiped with magnets. Still, be cautious with strong magnets near older hard drives and your monitor.
Myth: You can’t use advanced features in Zoom unless you have a paid account.
Fact: Many advanced Zoom features like virtual backgrounds, breakout rooms and meeting polls are available in free accounts. You just need to enable them in the settings.
Myth: You should always let your phone’s battery drain fully before recharging.
Fact: Older nickel-cadmium batteries suffered from the “memory effect.” Completely draining a lithium-ion battery, like what’s in today’s newer phones, will shorten its lifespan. Lithium-ion batteries work best when kept charged between 20% and 80%.
Myth: You should always use your monitor’s highest resolution.
Fact: Higher resolutions require more graphics processing power, which can lead to lower frame rates. A resolution of 1080p or 1440p gives you a good balance between clarity and performance.
Myth: You need expensive HDMI cables for better quality.
Fact: HDMI is a digital signal, meaning the data either gets through or it doesn’t. There’s no difference between a $10 cable and a $100 cable for most home setups.
Myth: Public charging stations are safe to use.
Fact: Public charging stations can be a hotbed for “juice jacking,” where cybercriminals load malware onto our devices via USB ports. To stay safe, use a USB data blocker or stick with your own charger and a cable plugged into a power outlet.
🛏️ Speaking of … Where does a myth buster sleep? In debunk bed. (Oh, so good!)
Share this know-how with a friend who still believes in old-school tech "wisdom" that just won’t go away. And if you’ve heard another myth that needs busting, let me know!
