-The MythBusters have been testing crazy myths since 2003—but now the show is coming to an end. Instead of despair, let's look back at some of the great things we (myself included) have learned from the show.

Everyone Can Be a Scientist

The only MythBuster that had a technical degree was Grant Imahara, with B.S. in electrical engineering. Adam Savage and Jaime Hyneman have a background in special effects for movies. This is what makes them such epic builders.

But here is the awesome part—you don't need a science degree to do science. In fact, I think that science is part of what makes us human (I adopted this from Chad Orzel). Science is just like other activities that make us human: art, music, and emoji (actually, just kidding about the emoji).

Even if you don't know it, science is about building models (conceptual, mathematical, computational) and comparing them to real life. This is exactly what the MythBusters do in each episode. They usually start with a model—such as a conceptual model that says you can play Fruit Ninja in real life (yes, that can be a model). Next they compare this model to real data by building an elaborate setup of real-life Fruit Ninja.

Finally, this leads to one of three possible results:


  • Busted: There was evidence collected that leads to believe that the model does not agree with real life.
  • Plausible: There was not enough evidence to convincingly state if the model agrees with real life.
  • Confirmed: There was convincing evidence that the model agrees with real life.


Yes, you can make the claim that some of the MythBuster's results weren't thorough enough to make a statement. Again, they aren't professional scientists—that's what adds charm to the show...

http://www.wired.com/2016/03/4-impor...-taught-world/