MythBusters
Discovery Channel experimenters
MythBusters is an American television series (2003–2016) in which hosts tested the validity of popular beliefs, urban legends, and movie stunts through scientific experimentation.
The show's approach—systematic testing of claims—has made the title a cultural shorthand for debunking: We need to MythBusters this before spreading it around.
Vessel or network name
- episodesDistinct parts of a series
- confirmedEstablished as accurate
- plausibleAppearing worthy of belief
- narrationVerbal account delivery
behind-the-scenes · stunts · specials · marathon · ratings · fanbase · primetime · edutainment
Prove something untrue
- refuteProve something untrue
- discreditHarm another's reputation
- demystifyExplain something confusing
- exposeMake known publicly
challenge · falsify · rebut · unmask · puncture · deflate · misconceptions · hoaxes
Testable proposed explanation
- variablesChangeable elements in equations
- replicationAct of duplicating precisely
- methodologyFormal procedural framework
- trialJudicial examination of claims
results · data · measurement · precision · accuracy · observation · procedure · testing
Based on observation, not theory
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- physicsScience of matter and energy
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- ballisticsProjectile motion science
explosives · pyrotechnics · aerodynamics · thermodynamics · forensics · engineering · mechanics · pressure
Violent, rapid expansions
- demolitionDeliberate structural destruction
- crashesSudden violent impacts
- fireballsBrilliant burning meteors
- destructionAct of completely ruining
slow-motion · blast · shrapnel · detonation · rocket · cannon · warehouse · quarry
Discovery
Vessel or network name
- episodesDistinct parts of a series
- confirmedEstablished as accurate
- plausibleAppearing worthy of belief
narration · behind-the-scenes · stunts · specials · marathon · ratings · fanbase · primetime · edutainment · infotainment
disprove
Prove something untrue
expose · challenge · falsify · rebut · unmask · puncture · deflate · misconceptions · hoaxes · folklore
hypothesis
Testable proposed explanation
- variablesChangeable elements in equations
- replicationAct of duplicating precisely
- methodologyFormal procedural framework
trial · results · data · measurement · precision · accuracy · observation · procedure · testing · prototypes
empirical
Based on observation, not theory
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- physicsScience of matter and energy
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
ballistics · explosives · pyrotechnics · aerodynamics · thermodynamics · forensics · engineering · mechanics · pressure · velocity
explosions
Violent, rapid expansions
- demolitionDeliberate structural destruction
- crashesSudden violent impacts
- fireballsBrilliant burning meteors
destruction · slow-motion · blast · shrapnel · detonation · rocket · cannon · warehouse · quarry
- science mediascience documentaries, science documentary, science magazine, science videos, science podcast
- Nature ShowsPlanet Earth, Blue Planet, Frozen Planet, Our Planet, nature show
- TV NetworksABC, NBC, Fox, CBS, CNN
- skepticismdoubt, skeptic, doubts, doubtful, skeptical
MythBusterspseudoscience
Bogus methodology posing as factual
old wives' tales · folk wisdom · conspiracy theories · superstition · dogma
MythBustershoaxers
Those who deceive deliberately
fabulists · conspiracy theorists · propagandists · rumor mills · snake oil salesmen