Five stupid things people believe

Dear Matt:

Name the five most outrageous popular misconceptions that we Americans hold as self-evident truths.

-- Mark Schimming, Oceanside

Umm, well, there are people buried in concrete in Hoover Dam. That's a start. And of course every mother believes that you'll catch a cold if you get cold and wet. Even if they knew before they were pregnant that colds come from viruses, not damp sneakers, the minute they give birth, reason flees, "common knowledge" takes over, and there's no talking them out of it. It keeps the sweater industry thriving. Outrageous misconceptions three through five have to do with the notion that Matthew Alice actually knows lots of stuff and delights in sharing it with thousands of readers every week.