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Make Me Smart Question

What’s something you thought you knew, but later found out you were wrong about?

From This Collection

Make Me Smart Question

Author Kai Bird was wrong about peace in the Middle East

by Nilou Shahbandi
Nov 15, 2023
The Pulitzer Prize winner and blockbuster author expected an eventual resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Kai Bird, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer."
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
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What author Andy Weir got wrong about this particular word

by Courtney Bergsieker and Nilou Shahbandi
Sep 13, 2023
The author of the blockbuster novel "The Martian" shares a story that shows he wasn't always the wordsmith we know him to be.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
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What an evolutionary biologist got wrong about cats

by Nilou Shahbandi
Sep 7, 2023
Jonathan Losos, author or "The Cat's Meow," shares an insight that will have cat owners purring in agreement.
Jonathan Losos with his cat, Nelson.
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"Shrill" writer Lindy West was wrong about Canada geese

by Courtney Bergsieker
Jul 7, 2023
Seattle writer and comedian Lindy West shares one animal fact that she had all wrong.
Lindy West talks with Kai Ryssdal and Kimberly Adams during a live taping of Marketplace's "Make Me Smart" podcast in Seattle.
Juan Pablo Chiquiza, KUOW
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Astronaut Reid Wiseman was wrong about how rockets get to space

by Antonio Barreras
Apr 12, 2023
He and his crew on NASA's Artemis II will be the first earthlings to travel to the vicinity of the moon in 50 years.
NASA Astronaut Reid Wiseman will serve as the Commander for the Artemis II mission.
Robert Markowitz/NASA
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What a dating coach got wrong about finding love

by Antonio Barreras
Apr 7, 2023
Professional matchmaker and dating coach Michelle Jacoby tells us why finding love is not just about following your heart.
Courtesy of Michelle Jacoby
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What a food writer got wrong about mocktails

by Antonio Barreras
Apr 7, 2023
It wasn't until she started researching her book that Elva Ramirez learned about the origins of the mocktail.
Photographer Robert Bredvad
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Make Me Smart Question

Norman Lear was wrong about what humans are capable of

by Marissa Cabrera
Oct 10, 2022
The legendary TV producer shares what serving in World War II taught him about human behavior.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
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LeVar Burton was wrong about America

by Marissa Cabrera
Aug 24, 2022
The actor, director and TV host who taught millions about the love of books and reading reflects on what he’s learned about his country.
LeVar Burton
Osmo
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Alyssa Gaines was wrong about planning for the future

by Courtney Bergsieker
Jul 26, 2022
National Youth Poet Laureate Alyssa Gaines reflects on how you don't always need a plan.
Alyssa Gaines, 2022 National Youth Poet Laureate speaks onstage during The Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in Partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies on September 21, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Bloomberg Philanthropies)
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