Re Mythbusters. Too many times, their thesis question is the
WRONG question.
Case in point: One the same show w/ the Bull in China Shop demo
they asked the question “Will bullets dropped into a fire kill a person?”
They concluded that a bullet in this manner would not. However, they
concluded that the shrapnel produced in the explosions could
put out an eye or inlfict a serious gash or puncture wound. One
need only know that nitrates exposed to an open flame in an
encapsulated systam will impart some degree of velocity on either
the warhead or the shredded casing. Ever see what a stone thrown by
the rear tire of an 18-wheeler can do to a car windshield? Now imagine
a piece of shredded ammunition casing hitting you in the face. Then
they threw the enclosed beer keg ont hefire. A closed system. The
heat elevated the pressure wi/ the canister and BOOOOOOOOOOM!
This is something anyone having taken hi school chem should know.
Even the two on Mythbusters. Shredded canister plus the tap component which was a welded addition was sent skying. Did the aerosol can as well.
Being a practiciing scientist, asking the correct thesis question is critical.
OTOH, would you have children throwing bullets onto an open fire
based on the premise that MB concluded that it would not cause death?
All it takes is ONE freakish situation.
PBreak has been done before—see R Kimball and The Fugitve. As I recall,
it lasted 3 full yrs and that was back in the day when Hollyweird was
cranking out about 15+ eps per season for about 30/yr. The current
twist on PBreak harkens back to Crime Story ala Ray Luca in Latin Am.
By doing only 6-8 eps/season, Hollyweird can extend the run.
MTM, Newhart and Arthur Carlson were in rare form last night.
MV
Thanks, MV...interesting post!
Ed