A few years ago, I remember reading an article in … Newsweek? … about how toxic molds were infesting homes around America. The theory (posited as fact in the article) was that a new breed of horrible, soul-sucking molds was infecting American houses, causing terrible, life-threatening illnesses and killing innocent people. I remember the article was accompanied by terrifying pictures of houses consumed by molds, its occupants forced to wear Hazmat suits to even walk in the door.

Well, according to a fascinating article in the LA Weekly last week, it was all a sham. There is no such thing as toxic molds; it was all media-generated hype, like shark attacks and Miley Cyrus. Also, Ed McMahon is a total nut job.

Now, I don’t want to say that this article necessarily proves anything, but I was not even aware that it was up for debate. It’s been a great relief to find out I can stop sleeping in the Hazmat suit, anyway. If I choose to.