The world is full of differing opinions, diverse interests, and unique personalities. Our differences are what make us interesting, but they can also be a cause of conflict. Over the years, there have been countless instances where people have stood up to a dominant organization, challenged a stereotype, or exposed a truth - and been sorely judged for it. Some people attracted more attention than others - and these are a few of the ones that ended up being vindicated in the history books.
Principles of the Dr. Atkins Diet Are Reinforced Much Later
When Dr. Atkins published his first book, The New Diet Revolution, he had an army of followers who adopted his nutritional advice. In the same breath, he had large groups of people mocking his thoughts on how refined sugars, flour, and starch boost the glycemic index (which leads to the body storing fat). When the physician died, many speculated that he died at the hands of his own diet.
Yet while many ridiculed his work on keto-acidosis, it also birthed several other diet trends. For example, ‘The Zone Diet’, ‘The Caveman Diet’ and ‘The Paleo Diet’ all drew inspiration and information from Dr. Atkins’ work.
Sinead O’Connor Exposes the Catholic Church
In 1992, Sinead O’Connor made headlines after tearing up a picture of Pope John Paul II while being broadcast on live television. Her message was very clear, highlighting her anger at the Catholic Church for alleged child abuse.
The crowds responded by jeering and mocking the Nothing Compares 2U singer, including celebrities such as Madonna and Frank Sinatra who belittled her protest. As it turns out, Sinead’s assumptions were correct. Child abuse had taken place within the Catholic Church during the 1960s — and was only exposed in 2011.
Stanislav Petrov Saves the World
War is a difficult time, costing people their lives and breaking down economies. Stanislav Petrov, a lieutenant colonel of the Soviet Air Defense Forces, found himself in the middle of the action in 1983, and he became known as “the man who saved the world from nuclear war”.
Stanislav was given strict instructions from the national military, yet he disobeyed commands. While Stanislav’s bold decision to disobey Soviet military protocols prevented a nuclear war, his crewmates must have thought that he was mad to take such controversial action.
Rose McGowan Before the #MeToo Movement
The #MeToo movement has taken the world by storm, exposing sexual harassment in the workplace, in an industry that has been painted as glamorous and elite. Yet before women found bravery within a united front, Rose McGowan spoke up about Harvey Weinstein – and was completely ostracized.
The actress was blacklisted after accusing Harvey Weinstein of raping her, and she stuck to her story for 20 years. It wasn’t until the #MeToo movement became a hot topic that her allegations were founded on a horrifying truth.
The Conflict Between Edison and Tesla
Many people consider Thomas Edison to be the genius inventor of the lightbulb through the process of experimentation. However, Nikola Tesla allegedly conceptualized everything in his mind. The two inventors developed a heated rivalry over the topic of technology for electricity.
Yet Nikola Tesla was often left in the shadow of the more-famous Thomas Edison. His final words helped put everything into perspective, saying, "All these years that I had spent in the service of mankind brought me nothing but insults and humiliation."
Dr. Willem Kolff Started Dialysis in an Interesting Way
Today, diabetes and kidney disease are common phenomena and while dialysis is an inconvenience, it’s a really effective solution. Dr. Willem Kolff was the man behind the idea, suggesting that a machine can do the job of the kidneys. However, at the time of his invention, technology had not evolved to the point that it is today.
Dr. Willem Kolff started going his work during WWII and had to rely on basic materials such as orange juice cans, sausage skins, and even a washing machine to clean the blood of a patient. As you can imagine, many of his first patients died before he was able to streamline the process and start saving lives!
Lisa Bonet’s Relationship With Cosby
Esteemed actress Lisa Bonet found great fame on the set of The Cosby Show, but her career with the sitcom came to an abrupt end when she was fired in 1991 on the grounds of “creative differences”. The star has been a strong force against Bill Cosby since, but for more reasons than one.
Speaking about her experience working for Bill Cosby, Lisa comments, “But…There was just energy. And that type of sinister, shadow energy cannot be concealed.” Admitting that she sensed a darkness, she continues, “And if I had anything more to reveal, then it would have happened a long time ago. That’s my nature. The truth will set you free.”
While Lisa Bonet was mocked for hating her TV father, allegations against the aged comedian have since come to light, and Lisa doesn't look so silly after all.
While Lisa Bonet was mocked for hating her TV father, allegations against the aged comedian have since come to light, and Lisa doesn't look so silly after all.
Corey Feldman Exposes Child Sex Abuse in Hollywood
Hollywood has developed a reputation of luxury and success, but Corey Feldman shattered this illusion, upsetting several people in the process. The talented actor found fame in his younger years, and has since used his influence to shine the light on child sex abuse in Hollywood - and it isn’t pretty.
For years, Corey Feldman made allegations against Hollywood players, including Charlie Sheen, that sexually abused him and his best friend, Corey Haim, when the pair were just young boys. Since Corey Haim’s death, Corey Feldman felt inspired to expose the alleged predators in a documentary called My Truth: The Rape of 2 Coreys. Unfortunately, the 80s star has earned a bit of a sleazy reputation himself, and it’s possible that this has contributed to him not being taken seriously.
John Yudkin Flaunts the Danger of Sugar
As technology has evolved, more research has been invested in nutrition and how to achieve optimal health. Unfortunately, not everyone is always on the same page when it comes to the best eating plans. For example, British scientist John Yudkin challenged the general belief that fat was the greatest danger to human health by pointing the finger at sugar.
John Yudkin stood his ground during a time when the sugar industry was demonizing fats, and scientists were supporting the attack. The defiant nutritionist passed away in 1995 and took his beliefs with him to the grave, insisting that fats were not the sole cause of obesity and heart attacks.
Oprah Winfrey Cuts an Important Message Short
As a popular talk show host, Oprah Winfrey has had her fair share of interesting characters on set. While some of her guests ignite a powerful and meaningful conversation, others rub her up the wrong one. During one presentation, a wild-looking gent stopped abruptly to tell the audience that plastic causes cancer. He went on to instruct everyone to stop using plastic to store food and water.
Unimpressed by his outburst, Oprah cut to a commercial and removed the man from the show. In reality, the danger of BPAs was being discovered and within a decade, the risks of BPA would be known worldwide.
Will Rogers Preempts the Trickle Down Economy
Do you remember when the American Dream was still a realistic ambition? Today, we know better! With so many obstacles blocking the road to success, and the wealth gap becoming increasingly large, the “trickle-down” economy has become a reality.
Will Rogers, an entertainer from the early 1900s, coined the term “trickle-down” as a humorous way to describe an economy where the rich become richer and the poor become poorer. It seems that the humorist spoke this type of economy into existence!
Ernest Hemingway’s Paranoia Is Validated
Ernest Hemingway is one of the best-known writers in the history of English literature, producing world-class novels such as The Sun Also Rises and The Old Man and the Sea, which won a Pulitzer Prize in 1953. Then, the writer started saying the FBI was following him around.
He said, ‘It’s the worst hell. They’ve bugged everything. That’s why we’re using Duke’s car. Mine’s bugged. Everything’s bugged. Can’t use the phone. Mail intercepted.” With a famous imagination, everyone was quick to shrug off the author’s words as paranoia. Tragically, he committed suicide in 1961, and decades later, papers emerged to prove that the FBI was following Ernest Hemingway after he left Cuba because of his ties to the Cuban officials.
Rutherford B. Hayes Says It Like It Is
Politics is a messy game and it’s not unusual for politicians to say all of the right words only to fail the follow-up with intentional actions. When Rutherford B. Hayes’ presidential term came to an end, he was viewed as a useless president — but at least he was honest.
Former U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes once said, "This is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people no longer. It is a government of corporations, by corporations, and for corporations." Not only was he transparent about the reality of politics, but he actually did commit efforts to preserve voting rights and attempt to reconcile the nation after Civil War.
A “Blasphemous” Religious Leader
While religion offers a lot of value to some people’s lives, it can also cause a lot of conflicts. History also shows how religion has contributed to violence and anger, and not even religious leaders are exempt from human judgment. During the plague in Moscow, a religious leader of the Russian Orthodox Church learned a very difficult lesson.
The priest discouraged people from kissing the statue of Maria, arguing that the sign of affection is an easy way for the virus to spread. Unfortunately for him, the church wasn’t happy with this announcement and he was burned alive for blasphemy.
Giordano Bruno Is Accused of Heresy
From flat-earthers and thinking that Delphi is the navel of the earth, we’ve come a long way to better understanding our planet and its place in the universe. Cosmological theorist, Giordano Bruno, contributed to our modern understanding.
Giordano was one of the first Europeans to suggest that the universe is infinite and that stars are planets with their own sun. The Catholic Church was appalled by his theories and Giordano was tried for heresy before being burned at the stake. While some of his theories are yet to be proven, a lot of his work is common understanding today.
Craig Ferguson Was One of Britney Spears’ Early Supporters
Comedians have a funny way of addressing difficult topics and making light of serious situations. As a result, they are able to say words that most would only dream of uttering, and Craig Ferguson was one such comedian. Yet even comedians have limits.
Comedians have a funny way of addressing difficult topics and making light of serious situations. As a result, they are able to say words that most would only dream of uttering, and Craig Ferguson was one such comedian. Yet even comedians have limits.
Presidential Accountant Spits the Truth
The world of geopolitics is complicated and layered. Over the years, politicians have crossed boundaries and embedded themselves in situations that don’t involve them. One of the most controversial decisions on behalf of the United States government was getting involved in the war in Afghanistan.
One of the government accountants in George W Bush’s presidency warned his government constituents about the high cost of war, estimating that American involvement would cost a billion dollars a month. While the accountant was fired at the time, his calculations were proven correct. It was later revealed that the war cost 300 million dollars per day for two whole decades.
Smart People Who Cover Their Webcam
The rise of technology has led to an increase in cybercrime, but it’s taken some time for people to understand the risks associated with technological devices - such as laptops, webcams, and mobile phones.
The release of Snowden ignited fear in the average citizen, suspecting that the NSA is illegally spying on Americans. As a result, many people started covering their webcam cameras. While some people chuckled at the paranoia, it turns out that they were simply protecting themselves by not exposing their privacy and sensitive conversations.
Heinrich Schliemann Was a Successful Historian
Heinrich Schliemann dedicated his life to being a historian and uncovering stories of the past. One of the tales that he pursued was the ancient remains of Troy, an ancient city known best for the legendary Trojan War in Homer’s epic poems. However, many people believed that he was crazy.
Committed to the cause, Heinrich got a copy of the Iliad and spent countless hours trying to find the remains of Troy. It took four decades, but Heinrich Schliemann eventually found it — and everyone else swallowed their words.
Martha Mitchell Inspires a Psychological Phenomenon
Have you ever heard of the Martha Mitchell effect? The phenomenon refers to the process whereby a mental health professional misdiagnoses a patient and labels their correct perception of real events as delusional. The origin of this phenomenon was inspired by none other than Martha Marshall, the wife of a member of the Nixon group.
When Martha heard about secret details pertaining to the Watergate scandal, her husband and Nixon men restrained her in a hotel. She was largely viewed as an insane woman, and the men even convinced psychiatrists of her warped mental state. As history proves, the Watergate scandal was a real situation and even resulted in Nixon’s resignation.
Charles Darwin Resists Religion
Throughout his career, Charles Darwin managed to avoid public controversy. Yet one avenue of research resulted in a global outcry. While Charles Darwin was producing fascinating research into possible theories of evolution, he was demonized by religious groups who felt that he was going against the biblical understanding of history.
As the years have passed, many people have adopted his theories. Studying his research and contributions to evolutionary biology has revealed substantial facts, yet much of the world remains divided.
Galileo Was Judged for His Scientific Discoveries
Galileo was another scientist that contributed to the understanding of the world. Today, he is largely hailed as a hero, but this wasn’t always the case. When Galileo first suggested that the Earth and other planets orbited the sun, the Catholic church responded with accusations of heresy. He was ordered to turn himself into the Holy Office in order to begin trial for his controversial beliefs.
Yet since the seventeenth century, Galileo has been revered as the “hero” of modern science. His contribution to science has helped further progress in the field and has offered fundamental insight on how the world works.
Rachel Carson Receives Shocking Backlash
Rachel Carson was a well-known marine biologist, writer, and conservationist who made waves after publishing her book Silent Spring. She committed years of her research to the impact of DDT on the natural environment — and it didn’t sit well with much of the community.
Rachel alleged that the agricultural insecticide was used for weakening the shells of bird eggs. As a result, DDT was contributing to the decline in the bald eagle population. While the news wasn't well-received at the time, the United States has since banned the use of DDT in 1972.
Eisenhower Stands up Against the Military-Industrial Complex
Dwight D. Eisenhower wasn’t only the 34th president of the United States, but also an American military officer. With experience and understanding of how the military works, Eisenhower was able to offer a confident opinion on the military-industrial complex. Unfortunately, not everyone agreed with his views.
In the president’s farewell speech to the nation, he warned of the dangers of allowing a military-industrial complex in the United States. He said, "In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist." In hindsight, would you say that his words carried weight?
Carrie Nation Joins the Temperance Movement
The temperance movement swept through the United States from 1800 to 1933, spreading the message that drinking was immoral and alcohol threatened the nation’s success. Carrie Nation emerged as a temperance advocate, fighting against the distilleries and suppliers that were feeding cheap alcohol into small communities.
At the time, Carrie was viewed as a prudish woman that dedicated her life to ruining the fun of others. However, her intention was focused on protecting the WWII veterans who transformed into drunkards at the expense of profit. At the base of her campaign was an effort to prevent domestic violence and poverty - even if she was smashing bottles to prove a point.
Clair Patterson Fights Against Oil Giants
Clair Patterson was earning a living as a geochemist and finding purpose in standing up against corporations that added lead to gasoline.
Clair petitioned Congress for years to make the addition of lead illegal, yet the giant oil companies kept shutting him down. After a decade of fighting, lead was finally removed from gasoline and, coincidentally, the amount of lead in the atmosphere decreased dramatically.
NSA/CIA Spies Are Exposed
When Snowden was released in 2016, the world went into a panic, fretting over the possibility that the NSA and CIA overhead private conversations and sensitive information. Edward Snowden’s life was put in danger after exposing the truth, but the world is eternally grateful.
When their sneaky behavior was exposed, the NSA and CIA went to extreme measures to tie up loose ends. If you think about it, these government agencies got away with murder and it’s surprising that there wasn’t a larger outcry at the invasion of privacy.
Ludwig Boltzmann Fights to the Death
Have you ever believed in something so deeply that you want to scream and shout? Ludwig Boltzmann was an Austrian physicist and philosopher who spent decades of his life studying thermodynamics, developing a formula that nobody believed.
Ludwig spent years trying to prove his formula but none of his colleagues believed him. Eventually, he became so distraught and perplexed that he committed suicide. Despite the tragic result in his personal life, his formula serves as the statistical explanation of the second law of thermodynamics.
Morgan Robertson Predicts the Titanic
Morgan Robertson was a well-known author, producing captivating short stories and novels toward the end of the 1800s and the start of the new century. One of his most outlandish works was a story about a fictional ship named Titan that sank after hitting an iceberg. Rumors have it that the story was dismissed on the grounds that it was too far-fetched.
Yet 14 years later, the notorious Titanic sank in a very similar way. Those that knew about Morgan Robertson’s work were quick to draw parallels - but the author dismissed all claims of being psychic.
A Long-Lost European Traveler
Unless you were the captain of a ship or a well-known explorer, then your adventurous spirit may have slipped into the background during the early days of exploring. From 1541 to 1542, a European explorer embarked on the voyage to South America. As one of the first European explorers to make the journey, his wild stories of the Amazon forest were unbelievable, describing flourishing cities and thriving communities.
When later explorers arrived at the Amazon forest and failed to see the claims of established cities and groups of people, the original explorer’s story was viewed as a farce. However, modern technology has since come to the rescue, revealing that there were large cities before smallpox wiped out the civilization.