Mythbusters, and the conclusion of sacred cows

The show, "Mythbusters," is a very intriguing one. The concept is that they take a common myth--like buttered bread always falls buttered side down (more on this later)--and test it. Myths that are testable in a direct way, and ones dealing with building things or explosions, are what they do best. Anything requiring scientific techniques are a bit beyond them (though these days they have enough advisors that they do alright, but in the beginning their methods were  It's a great show, and I love watching it whenever it's on.

There is a phrase called "sacred cows" and it means a belief held in unusually high esteem. It's normally a concept that is near and dear to people's hearts and one they aren't willing to see broken. Mythbusters focusses almost entirely on myths that are in that category. Over the years they have done nearly any myth you can think of, even the one about duck quacks not echoing (apparently it's because of the audio frequency, and it amazingly is true). They also love doing myths about Duct Tape, and the tape is an amazingly versatile tool (they've made boats, bridges, and rope with it).

I enjoy the show mainly because myths have some basis in reality and it's fun seeing if it all holds up to the truth. Speaking about that, the myth about buttered bread is true... however, it isn't because of any buttering but because the bread rotates one-half turn on its way to the floor. Since you would rightly have the buttered side up then it will fall with the buttered side down on the floor. Sometimes myths are like that, fun in the telling but not quite right when tested.

- M

ps. A "Bull in a China Shop" is actually very careful and graceful, breaking nothing.