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Busting Mythbusters

Is Mythbusters science?

  • Yes

    Votes: 125 51.4%

  • No

    Votes: 51 21.0%

  • Hello Hot Redhead Don't Care!

    Votes: 67 27.6%
  • Total voters
    243
I think of it as stunt science. It's loud, noisy, silly demonstrations of some basic scientific principles. I don't think it's ever pretended to be "proper" science, any more than Iron Chef is a proper guide to how to run a restaurant.
 
Hitch said:
One testing whether standing too close to a cheap microwave can make pants evaporate?

Okay, I'm just making stuff up, but I would watch an episode experimenting with making Kari's pants evaporate whether it contained scientific rigor or not.
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Interesting concept you have there! Have you, perchance, run it past them?:D
 
Lamuella said:
I think of it as stunt science. It's loud, noisy, silly demonstrations of some basic scientific principles. I don't think it's ever pretended to be "proper" science, any more than Iron Chef is a proper guide to how to run a restaurant.
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You could say that for just about any "science" show on TV. Yet for MANY people shows like this and others are their first and possibly ONLY exposure to the scientific method or fact finding.

Shows like Nova and Cosmos were what attracted me to science to begin with. They started my lifelong journey into skepticism and interest in the universe.

Again.... with all the noise coming from shows geared toward the masses, aliens, haunted houses, paranormal abilities, etc., I think a show such as MythBusters that moves in the direction of truth backed up by repeatable evidence is a breath of fresh air.

Why knock that?
 
It's a tad sloppy science but it is science. Sometimes they draw unsupported conclusions due to small sample sizes, but they get an A for effort.
 
For those who find the Mythbusters as presented difficult, there's always the "watch the DVD and FastForward through the recaps" approach.

I think the degree of scientific rigor varies from topic to topic, but they are demonstrating the scientific approach--including the "whoops, we didn't consider that" and "what would disprove this" aspects--quite well. I think a number of kids who would not otherwise consider questioning internet videos, let alone testing them, are acquiring an important bent towards skepticism from the show.

And, while I have no personal stake in the matter, I thought Kari was still smokin' hot while very pregnant. But then, a woman wielding a welding torch or firing high-caliber weapons is always a good rolemodel, IMHO...
 
What does it mean to say "thus-and-so is not science"? I started to say what I think it means, but I realized I'm not sure.

roger said:
'wait through three more cycles of commercials to see the big explosion while Kari dances around in a swimsuit.'
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I've never seen Kari dance around in a swimsuit. On television.
 
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