You are not logged in
How do you get the approval to use explosives and chemicals that are restricted in the US?
Jamie: We often do things that involve illegal items. We found that if you want to do something illegal, you need to get a police officer, and if you want to set something on fire, you need to get the fire department, and if you want to do something really illegal, then you need to get the FBI.
Adam: California and San Francisco are incredibly restrictive about using firearms and explosives. Our research team is amazing at getting us access to do pretty much whatever we can think of. It sometimes takes months of negotiations with various government agencies.
What gives you the biggest kick in your work?
Jamie: The thing that I get the most kick out of is the tremendous amount that we're learning while we're doing our job. Forget that we're on TV or busting myths; I'm just flat out learning a whole lot on a daily basis. I can't think of another way of earning a living that would come even remotely close. I'd say it's almost like we're getting a Ph.D. in the world at large as we do this show, whether we like it or not.
Adam: One of the parts I enjoy is the initial problem solving phase. The actual building of the experiments and the large scale testing rigs is often determined by the elaborate conversations we have on how to best demonstrate what we're doing. Honing in on the clearest way to explain the science behind what we're doing is one of the best parts of this job.
Jamie: In all of this, keep in mind that while we're trying to figure out the best ways to explain the science, we're often being exposed to this particular phenomenon for the first time. So, in general, we don't have a clue what we're doing. But by the end of dealing with the episodes, in most cases, we do.
What do you think is the major contribution of your show to science?
Jamie: We have to point out, first off, that we’re not scientists and we’re not engineers. We have no pretence of making any kind of specific contribution to science. We’ve come to understand that young people are becoming interested in science because of the show. We try to show how we work when we try to solve problems or deal with sharing myths. We try to think carefully and show stuff in a methodical way - and maybe, just by accident, in a scientific way – how we go about answering the questions that we want to answer.
Adam: One of the things that is perhaps the most gratifying part of doing this show is that we’ve been hearing from science teachers all over the world that they use Mythbusters as a teaching aid. Teachers can use the show as a seed of discussion, as a jumping-off point to teaching actual science. If there’s one thing that’s become very clear to Jamie and I about science teachers is that they’re really interested in finding ways to reach the kids.
Note: Questions and Answers were compiled from chats held in March 2006 and November 2004 and a press conference call held in March 2007.
