Erik's Favorite Things: Mythbusters

Let's look at the definition of science:

sci·ence

ˈsīəns

noun

1. 1.

   the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.

...um, yeah.  Let's go with an easier definition.

sci·ence

  [sahy-uhns] 

noun

1.

a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically  arranged and showing the operation of general laws: the mathematical sciences.

2.

systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and  experimentation.

3.

any of the branches of natural or physical science.

4.

systematized knowledge in general.

5.

knowledge, as of facts or principles; knowledge gained by systematic study.

Now, I'm quick to admit that the Discovery Channel isn't always the best source of "science" in the world.  Considering they appear to have several "docudramas" that are "dramatized television movies/series based on actual moments" and some appear to be done the same way The Possession was, namely, someone heard something once and decided to make up a whole bunch of lies around it.

But the channel still has enough of my respect to keep me coming back for programs such as Planet Earth, Life, and others.  Plus, of course, there's Mythbusters, a show that I think has done more for getting children and adults interested in science again since... well, since Bill Nye went off the air.  Or maybe even more than that.  Maybe not since people started wondering if MacGyver could really do all that stuff we saw him do.

So let's look at Mythbusters and see if two guys blowing stuff up can really count as "science."

Top Eleven: Silly Crushes

We all have them.  It's that actor or actress whose movie you'll sit through even if it's complete garbage.  It's the athlete or sports star you cheer for even if you know they won't win.  It's the model you recognize from several advertisements based just on a familiar smile or twinkle in their eye.  It's the television star or reality program personality whose program you might not really like, but you'll sit through it just to see if that person shows up.  It's the individual who catches your eye from the magazine rack at the grocery store and you feel compelled to pick up that issue just to learn more.

It's your silly little crush, and don't pretend you don't have one.  In fact, don't pretend you don't have more than one, because we all do.  We're genetically built to find them, though we're now evolved enough that we don't let those urges control our daily lives.

Well, most of us are, anyway.