Urban Legends-Did you hear what I heard?

The assignment for this week prompted some serious critical thinking, which I surmise was the whole purpose! Since the topic of legends, myths, hoaxes, etc. has been percolating in my brain, a trip to Union 76 gas station sparked (pun intended) my blog topic. Posted on the gas pump was the warning to turn off cell phones as use near the pumps could spark an explosion. This particular urban myth began in 1999, has been disproved by the petrochemical industry, been featured on the The Discovery Channel show "Mythbusters" etc. - yet the sign remains. Why does this persist, when science so obviously has labeled the "facts" as "myth"? Here are my observations and musings.

Legends, myths, old wives tales, fables, parables - call them what you wish - have existed, and will continue, as long as humans crave an understanding of the world we inhabit. We have an insatiable need to know, especially living in an era of such easily obtainable information. As rational beings, we thrive on communication and understanding information about ourselves and our place in the world; a justification of sorts for our continued existence. There has to be some reason we are here, after all. What we can't explain, we attempt to explain, even if the facts aren't exactly right.

Most legends are disguised as lessons. Some we have heard since we were young, such as “don't make an ugly face or your face will freeze” or “keep your hand inside the car or your arm will fall off,” etc. Myths, in large part, are attempts to control behavior for the protection of the individual, but more so for the protection of society itself. After spending quite a bit of time on the Internet researching and exploring various legends, I came across a "hoax quiz" (http:''urbanlegends.about.com/2009/08/26/can-you-spot-the-real-from-the-fake.htm). I was intrigued and even though I considered myself a “hoax buster” expert, I was soon humbled. The photo above comes from the sight, so I have to ask, do you think it is real or fake? Hopefully learning is a life-long endeavor; maybe legends are meant to continue exercising our minds. Although we are rational beings, we make so many important decisions based on our emotions. Legends work on the same principle- we create an emotional connection with others which then helps us feel less alone and more confident in ourselves and our beliefs.

In some ways, truth is relative or contextual. If perception is reality, then I seek that which supports my belief system. While facts be proven and theories tested, what happen when science fails to explain the answer? If enough evidence doesn't exist then does the theory become myth. Legends emerge when answers are needed and facts don’t exist. My thoughts here do not represent a justification for perpetuating falsehoods. Instead, I am, simply theorizing on why legends, et al exist and seem to self perpetuate. The more emotional the subject, the more people speculate. Technology has provided the means for speculations to be instantaneously conveyed around the world.

So the moral of this blog? Use your brain, apply the rules of the baloney detection kit, and in case of a legend emergency, incorporate the adage if it sounds too good to be true . . . .(you know the rest).