'Mythbusters' team says it's testing Archimedes the right way for President Obama

It's not the same old Archimedes myth. Or at least, it won't be tested in the same way.

Complaints erupted after we reported that "Mythbusters" would take on the Archimedes legend -- in which the ancient Greek mathematician supposedly destroyed a Roman fleet with mirrors and the sun's rays -- at the behest of President Obama. Commenters contended that the popular Discovery Channel science show was repeating itself.

But Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman said the episode -- set to air Dec. 8 -- isn't a retread.

"Yes, we have actually tackled it twice before," Savage explained in a phone interview Tuesday. "But we've never actually tackled it in the exact way that Archimedes was said to have actually done it, with 500 soldiers with polished shields. We've always done some kind of analog of soldiers."

Those two earlier, scaled-down testings resulted in the myth being busted, or disproven. When the White House suggested doing an experiment that could actually get a group of kids involved, the program decided to revive the Archimedes legend one more time, using 500 schoolchildren as surrogates for the soldiers.

"We know that you can set something on fire with the sun, that's not the question here," Hyneman said. "The difficulty is getting individuals holding mirrors to do it." The problem is that the distances and number of people involved offer too many variables to get the fire ignited with the sun's rays. 

"Mythbusters" has revisited other experiments too, including ones involving "chicken guns" and bulletproof materials. "It's almost like peer review," Savage said. "At least two or three times per season we'll go back and revisit something we've already done. ... We're totally willing to jump right back into a story if we don't feel we've tested thoroughly enough."

Then again, there are still plenty of untested myths to try. Such as the tale of another weapon supposedly developed by Archimedes: a giant mechanical claw that plucked Roman ships out of the sea.

"I think it won't be too long before we're testing that one," Savage said. 

-- Scott Collins
twitter.com/scottcollinsLAT

Photo: Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman will retest the ancient legend of Archimedes destroying Roman ships with polished shields and the sun's rays. Credit: Discovery Channel

 

Comments

[CCCR]

Actually, historians are pretty sure he must have used prisms...it had nothing to do with soldiers.

Additionally, if real mirrors couldn't do it, polished shields certainly aren't going to do it either.

[Oliver O'Sullivan]

This "technology" has already found a modern-day application, one at which it performs brilliantly - no need for the 'myth' handle, or for further busting!

http://boingboing.net/2010/03/20/saturday-morning-sci-20.html

[Samantha L.]

Okay, now that makes some more sense.

[Skye]

What's depressing about all of this is that this article has received ZERO comments, despite this being a popular, and most of all, intelligent show on television. The article drops a heavyweight name like President Obama. And yet, no one has showed up. However, in being curious about whether or not Palin's offspring has been deemed unfit for the ridiculous Dancing with the Stars, I clicked upon that article to see it was posted HOURS after this one on the same day, and has four comments.

Humanity is going downhill... just... so fast. I am terrified of clicking any article regarding that waste of space Jersey Shore.

[Bill]

How are a bunch of school children going to hold a polished shield exactly the same way all at the same time? It is hard enough to get them all to do their homework on time. LOL.

[clint ford]

I think the discovery channel should have allowed the school kids to help with a new mythbusters project. Or allow one kid per show to help with a project. I don't think mythbusters should allow the president to pick and choose the myth and subject matter contained in the show. This to me shows his arrogance and the discovery channel's lack of testicles. This is president Obama's way of trying to boost his popularity level by using guest appearances on television.

[Shiden]

@clint:
If it's getting kids involved (and more importantly, interested) with science of any kind, I don't care who's doing it for potentially PR reasons. Though I also like the idea of involving schoolkids as assistants in other myths, as long as there really is something for them to do.

[Chris]

I read the comment about Mythbusters being an "intelligent" show. I suppose the show does impress a few mouthbreathers, but the show and its tests are an afront to respectable science and experimentation.

[James]

@Chris:

Sadly, neither "Peer Reviewing with the Stars" or "America's Got Statistical Anomalies" weren't picked up for a new season.

The mythbusters are not scientifically rigorous, they don't have the best controls or use adequate sample sizes, but because of them there's a whole generation that knows understand, at least a little, what controls are and why sample size is important.

Compare that to the other trash on TV, even on the Discovery Channel itself.

[DracusPrime]

MIT actually did light a boat on fire (open and sustained flame in less that 10 minutes at that) prior to helping the Mythbusters with their experiments, the main factor was moisture content in the wood. Of course, I don't think it was peer reviewed and it has yet to be tested under the same conditions for consistency so scientifically speaking, it's still up in the air.

[Sam]

There is nothing wrong with kids helping out in a scientific experiment in and of itself. However, this stunt of Obama's is unbelievable. Obama seriously doesn't have anything better to do than to shoot for a TV show? Getting the Mythbusters to use kids in a myth re-visit is obviously a shallow popularity-seeking tactic. If he wants popularity, he outta do all he can to fix America! The president has many duties to his employers-the American people-that do not include being on TV for sake of gaining popularity. This is ridiculous! I love Mythbusters, but I've lost respect for them because they agreed to this (Obama couldn't do anything to them if they said no).

[Rose]

People need to calm down. This isn't just about appearing on a TV show, but is in fact part of the the White House's effort to get children involved in science and math. He isn't just appearing on Mythbusters for popularity (although I'm sure that plays a part) but is using it as a way to get kids excited about science, as Mythbusters is very popular with kids 9-14. The episode that Obama actually appears in will air during the children's block of programming on Discovery. What he is doing at least in this case is worthwhile and deserves the attention. Yes there are other things that the President needs to take care of but part of his job is being concerned with the education of our youth. And if any of you have been paying any attention at all you would know that the United States is not at the top of the heap when it comes to math and science achievements in schools. This is all part of the White House Science Fair that was held this week which focused on much more than going on a TV show. As the official White House Press release says "If you win the NCAA championship, you come to the White House. Well, if you're a young person and you produce the best experiment or design, the best hardware or software, you ought to be recognized for that achievement, too”. I for one am glad that children are being honored for all their hard work in school and seeing that it can pay off. Also if you actually read the article it says that the White House suggested they do a myth that could get a large number of schoolchildren involved and the SHOW picked to redo Archimedes, "When the White House suggested doing an experiment that could actually get a group of kids involved, the PROGRAM decided to revive the Archimedes legend one more ...". So if you don't like it blame the show. Do I wish that they could have found a new myth to include the children on? Yes, but I'm sure it will be entertaining regardless and will be watching when the show airs on December 8th.

[ha]

to do any thing for this presadent is an abamonation for mr sweld hed i will not wach the show on that day even thogh i am a big fan of the show but i can't suporte any thing that this presedent dose

[Ashley]

Cool! Go Mythbusters! I love you guys! :D

[Steve the Creep]

All these Right Wingers are correct. Obama shouldn't be wasting all this time doing PR for a "science" show (I don't remember there being anything about reflecting sunlight with mirrors in the Bible. Interesting "theory" they got going).

Obama needs to treat the Presidency with some respect. Like George W(onderful) Bush did. Cleaning brush and illegally tapping our phone lines. God bless 48% of America!

[Rose]

@Ha
Wow all I can say in response is that you certainly would have been one to benefit from an improved American education system which is what the President is trying to foster an interest in by making learning and education seem fun and exciting for children.

[Bobby M]

Maybe Mythbusters should tackle the myth that Obama was born in the United States