Can the past change? It sounds incredible, but scientists are debating exactly this, with various theories ranging from quantum mechanics to the many-worlds interpretation. If it could, how would it appear to us? The internet is buzzing with wild ideas, so it's time to go over where they originated, and consider in detail what exactly might be causing it.
The Mandela Effect
Ever had that feeling when you hear of something, like a celebrity dying, and was sure it had happened before? When that happens to a group of people, it has a name - The Mandela Effect. It's called that because there are many who were sure Nelson Mandela died in the 1980's and not in 2013.
Welcome to Alternate Memories, where these and more are documented, discussed and puzzled over.
Remember - as you read about them more and more, some will hit you as being ridiculous, and others as spookily accurate. They are not the same for everyone, which is a huge part of their mystery ;-)
Gene Wilder was never in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
- ZachKnife 0 Comments
Gene Wilder's most famous role?
MMDE: Gene Wilder was in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Current: Gene Wilder was not in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Roald Dahls famous book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" has been delighting children, and many grown-up children, for decades since it was written in 1964.
Featuring the colorful Willy Wonka, the book went on to be adapted as a musical movie twice, the first of which starred Gene Wilder as the lead role, Willy Wonka, in 1971.
Yet there's something odd here, because although world famous for the role and this movie, he wasn't in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at all - the one he was in was called Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory.
King Harold didn't get an arrow in his eye?
- mikey1979 0 Comments
The death of Harold
MMDE: King Harold died from an arrow in his eye at the Battle of Hastings
Current: King Harold did not die from an arrow in his eye at the Battle of Hastings
King Harold, or more formally King Harold II, was born in 1022 as Harold Godwinson. He was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon king of England and famously died at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
This battle was depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry, where it appears to show him getting killed by an arrow in his eye, and from that the legend of the manner of his death this way was born.
However, all is not as it appears, and today serious doubt is being thrown on if this is what actually happened.
Is blood blue inside your veins?
- James Taylor 0 Comments
The color of blood
MMDE: Blood in the veins is colored blue
Current: Blood in the veins is colored red
Many people remember being taught at school that the blood inside the human veins is colored blue, and only turns red when it comes into contact with air. The fact that it looks that way when checking is out on your arms, legs etc appears to only reinforce this idea.
In fact it's not true, and this is coming as a big surprise to many people, who in turn have been telling their children this is the case and so perpetuating the myth. It's red because the way it carries oxygen around the body is in the form of hemoglobin, which is rich in iron and gives it the red shade.
There is a clue this is the case without having to conduct some elaborate experiment. When blood is drawn into a tube via a syringe, it usually goes into a vacuum in the tube, not air. This prevents contamination, yet it's still always red.
"Thousands cheering" on TV right after 9/11?
- Eve Clemmons 0 Comments
Seen on TV on 9/11?
MMDE: TV showed "thousands cheering" on 9/11
Current: TV did not show "thousands cheering" on 9/11
The Mandela Effect does not discriminate across religion, culture or, as seen with this one, politics. It is only concerned with facts being misremembered by groups of people, no matter what the subject is.
9/11 was a series of tragic events which are etched permanently in many peoples memories. Many of those memories were from the media being broadcast as the events actually happened on the day, but amid all the chaos and confusion some details may not be all they appear when viewed back years later, after all the dust has settled - literally.
One of those details was the report that "thousands of people" were seen on TV dancing, cheering and celebrating after 9/11. Did this happen, is it propaganda, or is it an actual Mandela Effect?
The issue is not whether any crowds celebrated, it's whether it was shown on TV.
Dogs playing poker: No transparent green bookie hats?
- Ian Scott 0 Comments
All bets are off - did one wear a bookie hat?
MMDE: One dog had a transparent green bookie hat
Current: No dog wears a transparent green bookie hat
Most people are familiar with the famous 'Dogs playing poker' painting. There are actually a few in the set, and they were really popular in the 1990's in many US homes, and quite a few bars worldwide too.
People remember the realistic looking dogs sat round a table in a smoky room, intently focusing on their poker game. Do you remember any of the dogs wearing a transparent green dealer's hat? Many do, but can't find it anywhere now, and so it's being classed as a Mandela effect.
There were spin off paintings where they were involved in other sports, like billiards, but it's the poker one which is the best known. People are describing every detail of the hat, right down to it's transparent green-tinted visor and wide band. Yet there's no trace of that today...
"Meat loaf" or "Meatloaf"?
- BoltOLightnin 0 Comments
The "Bat out of Hell" singer?
MMDE: Meatloaf
Current: Meat Loaf
We're not talking about the food here!
Many people are reporting they are sure there was no space between "Meat" and "Loaf" in the name of the larger than life American singer famous for "Bat out of Hell".
The way it is today shows a space everywhere, and where it doesn't it's referring to the food. Hardcore fans are reporting they pay attention to these kinds of details, and some are saying the album covers have changed too, Bruce Springsteen style.
The Bat out of Hell album trilogy has sold over 50m copies worldwide, and the original Bat out of Hell album is one of the best selling albums in history. So how can there be any confusion whatsoever over how his name appeared?
"LinkedIn" or "LinkdIn"?
- Kevin Robbs 0 Comments
Dropped e
MMDE: LinkdIn
Current: LinkedIn
Whilst there are many Mandela Effects which relate to branding, most tend to be associated with long-established companies and not modern internet-based ones. The famous missing cornucopia in the Fruit of the Loom logo goes back to 1851, for example.
So when many people started reporting they distinctly remembered the famous business networking site as "LinkdIn" rather than the "LinkedIn" they see today, they say this might be the cause. These people are certain they remember the old spelling, and are sure it must have been changed at some point in the past even though there is no evidence of this to be found.
Ironically, LinkedIn itself is aware of the ME - there are numerous posts on the subject on the site itself, but none concern a change in the name.
