Oops! Mythbusters did something wrong!

[diehardbiker]

Yeah, that would be cool as it is a good conversation starter. I might do the same thing.

just asked a friend about this.. he laughed and suggested to keep the holes intact, put glass in it's place. To add character to the house. along with two demands, have the show put up an life insurance fund, and an guest appearance on the next show.

I thought that was cool

 

[AlleyCat]

The only thing I wonder is why they weren't further away from houses while doing their testing. Other than that, I like the show for it's entertainment value

 

[TWA]

Say if you drove a car, and a tire blew off and you lost control on your vehicle, and we call you criminal. Is that appropriate response?

Criminal means one knowing that it could hurt anyone and refused to do anything to prevent it. That is CRIME, but when one knew and did every steps to make nothing went wrong, but for some freak reason it went wrong... calling it criminal? Your outta of your mind!

That's the analogy you're going to use? The tire on my car blowing out and me losing control of the car? What?

Okay, look, I'm going to help you out here: let's say I lose control of the car and hit another car and end up killing a baby in that car. And let's say I've been drinking and my judgment is impaired. But let's also make it interesting by saying that I am still below the legal limit of .08 alcohol.

Technically I haven't broken any law, and I never ever meant to harm that baby or lose control of my car. Doesn't matter. I used poor judgement (just like the Dorkbusters). The DA still prosecutes me in a criminal case and I lose. I am a criminal.

Get it now?

 

[Jiro]

Say if you drove a car, and a tire blew off and you lost control on your vehicle, and we call you criminal. Is that appropriate response?

Criminal means one knowing that it could hurt anyone and refused to do anything to prevent it. That is CRIME, but when one knew and did every steps to make nothing went wrong, but for some freak reason it went wrong... calling it criminal? Your outta of your mind!

depends on situation, yes you can be charged with "criminal negligence

 

[Jiro]

Was the pilot criminally charged? Is he a celebrity?

¯\(°_o)/¯

 

[TWA]

Also, "some freak reason" is not a valid explanation for what happened.

These guys messed up. They did something wrong in their experiment or calculations (no surprise there, considering they aren't real scientists), and they used very poor judgment in pointing the cannon in the direction of human homes and activity. They should have anticipated that something could go wrong and make sure no damage or danger occurred. They did not.

This was not a "freak accident." It was preventable.

 

[Cheetah]

Also, "some freak reason" is not a valid explanation for what happened.

These guys messed up. They did something wrong in their experiment or calculations (no surprise there, considering they aren't real scientists), and they used very poor judgment in pointing the cannon in the direction of human homes and activity. They should have anticipated that something could go wrong and make sure no damage or danger occurred. They did not.

This was not a "freak accident." It was preventable.

Well, suppose you are right... We should just slam everyone that has ever caused property damage to someone else. perhaps throw them in jail? Maybe fine them so they never ever attempt something with risk again?

Seriously, I think you are blowing this way out of proportion. They knew the risks, the insurance knew the risks, the range knew the risk, the fire marshal knew the risks.... and still everyone thought it was safe to proceed. Yes they will review, but throw the book at them because you do not like their TV show is silly.

 

[posts from hell]

Well, suppose you are right... We should just slam everyone that has ever caused property damage to someone else. perhaps throw them in jail? Maybe fine them so they never ever attempt something with risk again?

Seriously, I think you are blowing this way out of proportion. They knew the risks, the insurance knew the risks, the range knew the risk, the fire marshal knew the risks.... and still everyone thought it was safe to proceed. Yes they will review, but throw the book at them because you do not like their TV show is silly.

Even the people who lived next to the range knew the risks of living there.

(Just like these houses on golf courses)

 

[Cheetah]

Even the people who lived next to the range knew the risks of living there.

(Just like these houses on golf courses)

That's right. I forgot that most of the people in that are bought their house knowing the risk. Not too different from living near an airport - an increased risk for them too.

 

[posts from hell]

Watched the video and thought about it a bit more..

I'm also a big time watcher of the show, and I remember they always used an outside pyrotechnic company for their explosives and such.

I couldn't make out exactly what happened. Why did it misfire? did the cannon blow apart? what were they trying to do?

 

[TWA]

Well, suppose you are right... We should just slam everyone that has ever caused property damage to someone else. perhaps throw them in jail? Maybe fine them so they never ever attempt something with risk again?

Seriously, I think you are blowing this way out of proportion. They knew the risks, the insurance knew the risks, the range knew the risk, the fire marshal knew the risks.... and still everyone thought it was safe to proceed. Yes they will review, but throw the book at them because you do not like their TV show is silly.

You are missing my point. My point is that many people who are acting like this isn't a big deal would make a HUGE deal about it if it were not the Mythbusters.

And yes, we SHOULD slam everyone who has caused property damage and endangered the lives of others for some stupid prank like trying to see how much crap a cannonball can shoot through.

Don't focus on me. Think about the fluidity of your own position. You have an apologist attitude, as do many others on this thread.

 

[posts from hell]

You are missing my point. My point is that many people who are acting like this isn't a big deal would make a HUGE deal about it if it were not the Mythbusters.

And yes, we SHOULD slam everyone who has caused property damage and endangered the lives of others for some stupid prank like trying to see how much crap a cannonball can shoot through.

Don't focus on me. Think about the fluidity of your own position. You have an apologist attitude, as do many others on this thread.

"Apologist Attitude" whatever that means, is it a bad thing?

 

[purplewowies]

LOL, if you think this is the scientific process, you're mistaken.

I am talking about taking precise measurements. Recording data meticulously, using a control, reproducing results, peer review, etc. etc.

Here's a good article exposing the sham that is Mythbusters: When Mythbusters Gets it Completely Wrong | Orgone Research

Well...

1. This is the method I was taught all through my primary and secondary schooling. Does this mean all my teachers were wrong? (Not asking contemptuously, I genuinely want to know.)

2. Heck, I might be mistaken. It's not like I do this for a living.

 

[Daredevel7]

Also, "some freak reason" is not a valid explanation for what happened.

These guys messed up. They did something wrong in their experiment or calculations (no surprise there, considering they aren't real scientists), and they used very poor judgment in pointing the cannon in the direction of human homes and activity. They should have anticipated that something could go wrong and make sure no damage or danger occurred. They did not.

This was not a "freak accident." It was preventable.

I understand where you are coming from. And you're right in the sense that if it was really a bunch of teenagers who did it, they would be crucified.

However, this applies to EVERYTHING.

For example: I went on a hot air balloon trip, they have no real control of where they land, only an "idea" of where to land. I spoke to the operator who has been doing these hot air balloon trips for 20+ years. Due to unpredictable winds, he has, MANY times, landed on someone's property and damaged their stuff. For the most part, people forgive him and let him go (of course, he always pays for the damage).

However, if a bunch of teenagers did it, they would get crucified.

We tend to forgive people who do it for a living, not those who are doing it "for the hell of it". So while their celebratory status does help, it doesn't really tell the whole story.

 

[TWA]

That's right. I forgot that most of the people in that are bought their house knowing the risk. Not too different from living near an airport - an increased risk for them too.

Apples to Oranges. People who live on a golf course expect damage from golf balls and they take precautions against it (shatterproof glass, covered outdoor patios, etc.)

I don't think the people who live on the other side of the hill were ever made aware of the fact that a friggin cannonball might come plowing through their house at any moment.

 

[Daredevel7]

And of COURSE it's not real science, but at least it has SOME semblence of truth. Real science is boring as hell, and there rarely are "breakthroughs", only tiny pieces that add up to a breakthrough.

It isn't as if Mythbusters gets most things wrong anyway. In my opinion, it does the best it can while balancing the entertainment factor.

 

[posts from hell]

Apples to Oranges. People who live on a golf course expect damage from golf balls and they take precautions against it (shatterproof glass, covered outdoor patios, etc.)

I don't think the people who live on the other side of the hill were ever made aware of the fact that a friggin cannonball might come plowing through their house at any moment.

its a "military testing range" or some sorts.

Either way.. they all now know.

 

[Cheetah]

You are missing my point. My point is that many people who are acting like this isn't a big deal would make a HUGE deal about it if it were not the Mythbusters.

And yes, we SHOULD slam everyone who has caused property damage and endangered the lives of others for some stupid prank like trying to see how much crap a cannonball can shoot through.

Don't focus on me. Think about the fluidity of your own position. You have an apologist attitude, as do many others on this thread.

We are talking about people who do this for a living. They have many many hours of documented experience working with this type of experiments. That should count for something. now... If I went out and tried this, I can bet all my money in the bank that I would be in jail. I think you are missing the fact that this was an accident. Precautions were taken. There is a track record of safety... Yes, we can hold them accountable for the mistake. But keep in mind, there was no criminal intent and countless people reviewed their plans prior to execution. You can bet their insurance underwriters are going to be asking more questions and be more cautious after this.

 

[TWA]

Well...

1. This is the method I was taught all through my primary and secondary schooling. Does this mean all my teachers were wrong? (Not asking contemptuously, I genuinely want to know.)

2. Heck, I might be mistaken. It's not like I do this for a living.

Did you read the article I posted? Read it, which exposes the flaws in just one of the Mythbusters' experiments (many more have been refuted and dismissed by real scientists, btw).

I didn't say there was anything wrong in what you listed. Certainly you had the scientific process in a nutshell. But nutshells are no good in the scientific realm. We need precision and accuracy. What I imply is that Mythbusters operates under the guise of "real science" but are in actuality a couple television personalities who are just going for entertainment value.

 

[Beowulf]

Did you read the article I posted? Read it, which exposes the flaws in just one of the Mythbusters' experiments (many more have been refuted and dismissed by real scientists, btw).

I didn't say there was anything wrong in what you listed. Certainly you had the scientific process in a nutshell. But nutshells are no good in the scientific realm. We need precision and accuracy. What I imply is that Mythbusters operates under the guise of "real science" but are in actuality a couple television personalities who are just going for entertainment value.

They happen to be educational, too.