MythBusters“Shooting Fish in a Barrel”
Original Air Date: November 21, 2007
Stacy – TwoCents Reviewer
Three myths, five busters and one reviewer. This episode of MythBusters we discover just how easy it is to shoot fish in a barrel, test some cures for spicy mouths, and learn if elephants really are afraid of mice. The results range from expected to surprising, but the biggest thing learned today is that the fans of this show are sadistic.
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ReplyDelete“Shooting Fish in a Barrel”
Original Air Date: November 21, 2007
Stacy – TwoCents Reviewer
Three myths, five busters and one reviewer. This episode of MythBusters we discover just how easy it is to shoot fish in a barrel, test some cures for spicy mouths, and learn if elephants really are afraid of mice. The results range from expected to surprising, but the biggest thing learned today is that the fans of this show are sadistic.
The mini-myth of the night: are elephants really afraid of mice? Both Jamie and Adam agree that this myth should be a slam-dunk; no way will an elephant even notice a little bitty mouse. To prove it they head off to an African animal sanctuary. The idea is simple: a reverse mousetrap. Adam takes elephant dung (not fresh, that’s another myth), pops a mouse inside its hollow, and attaches a string so it can be pulled over from a distance. They set the trap, wait for the elephant, and are shocked when they trigger it and the elephant actually backs off! Shocked, and certain it was just the movement and not the mouse, they try it this time sans mouse and the elephant completely ignore it.One more test makes this one plausible. When they add the mouse back in, the elephant sees it and moves away. It’s no stampede, but the elephant was definitely wary of the mouse. And really, can you blame him for it? A mouse just popped out of his poop. I’d back away too.
Outcome: Elephants may not be afraid of mice, but they reluctant to approach them. Plausible!
Next, Grant, Kari and Tory test various remedies for spicy mouth syndrome, including some seriously messed up fan-contributed ones. Kari, smart enough to sit this one out, makes a jalapeno puree for Grant and a habanera one for Tory. The test will use whole-fat milk as the control, since it is a proven remedy involving something extremely scientific about the fat and dairy counteracting the capsaicin, which is what makes peppers so hot and painful to begin with. And, to further freak out Grant, who doesn’t like spicy to begin with, expert Dave Dewitt confirms that peppers can kill you via suffocation if you eat too much. Good to know.
The test has Grant and Tory each taking ½ teaspoon of their puree, holding it for 30 seconds in their mouths and then applying the cure. All cures are rated from 1-10, milk setting the standard at 5. The standard cures, water, beer and spirits (aka tequila!), go well, earning averages of 3 and inducing much burping and dancing, but none are better than milk. And then, the fan cures. Seriously, some awfully twisted people out there suggested not only toothpaste, but petroleum jelly and wasabi sauce as cures for a spicy mouth. Toothpaste gets zeros and is kind of disgusting. Petroleum jelly, Kari thinks will induce vomiting, and both the guys and I agree, but it still scores better than toothpaste. Finally, the wasabi sauce almost kills Grant who gives it a -10 and then a -100. Tory on the other hand, thinks it’s like a wonderful Mexican-Japanese fusion and gives it a 3.
Outcome: When your mouth is on fire, reach for a glass of milk. That and the fans of this show like suffering.
Now, the main myth of the show: Adam and Jamie take on shooting fish in a barrel. Yes, it sounds easy. Almost like taking candy from a baby, which Adam suggests they try next. But first the fish! Not wanting PETA to give them a call, they quickly convert some dead snapper into Franken-fish thanks to an ingenious motor system created by Jamie. Why it was okay to risk mice becoming elephant toe-jam but fish can’t be shot at is beyond me.
Once everything is in place, it’s quickly discovered that even crack-shot Jamie can’t hit a dead fish in a barrel. I still love him. To make it easier, they paint the inside of the barrel white and install an observation window and get success! Next they try a shotgun and a smaller prey as Adam rigs up a dead fish tree of fishing lures. The results aren’t impressive, but the guys figure that the shockwave might actually be the real killer.
Bring in the expert! Aquarium guy Bart Sheppard confirms fish are very sensitive to shockwaves, and after a few failed attempts at monitoring the pressure with sensors, they switch to the every-ready shock stickers that Buster is too familiar with. All three trigger meaning we’ve got us some very dead fish.
Outcome: Shooting fish in a barrel is so easy you don’t even have to hit the fish to be successful. Confirmed!
But wait! Deciding that that it could be easier, Jamie arranges to surprise Adam with a M134 mini-gun that shoots 3000 bullets a minute, utterly obliterating not only the barrel, but the fish. That’s our guys!