Ep 3. Banana Slip, Double Dip

The popular TV show Mythbusters is back with a bang with its seventh season, and this episode named Banana Slip, Double Dip is no less than a thrilling ride for the viewers. The show is a science-based reality TV series that debunks or confirms various myths and urban legends by conducting exciting experiments using scientific methods.

This episode begins with the myth that if you slip on a banana peel, you are more likely to slip on another one soon afterward. The hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman aim to prove or disprove this myth and give the viewers a better understanding of the science behind slips and falls. They conduct several experiments, including one where they slip on banana peels on different surfaces and check if there is any pattern in the trajectory of their falls.

Next, the myth that you can double-dip your chips without significantly increasing the bacteria count in the dip is put to the test. The hosts want to find out if it is indeed safe to double-dip, or if it can cause bacterial contamination, making it unhealthy to share dip at parties. They conduct a series of experiments to test the bacterial count in the dip after various people double-dip in it.

Moving forward, the episode looks into the myth that you can't polish a poop. The hosts want to find out if this is true or not. They select several animal feces and experiment with different methods to make them shine, such as polishing, sanding, and applying varnish. Their aim is to see if animal poop can be polished effectively without getting damaged in the process.

Another myth that this episode explores is whether a person can be flung hundreds of feet in the air by standing on a shovelful of hot coal, as depicted in a movie. The hosts take on this challenge and design a massive slingshot to launch a person sitting on a shovel filled with hot coals. They test and experiment with various factors, such as the position of the person on the shovel and the speed of the launch, to see if this myth is true.

The episode also takes on the myth that sugar can cause hyperactivity in children. The hosts conduct a simple experiment where they ask a group of children to consume sugary drinks and record any changes in their behavior. They compare the energy levels and behavior of the children who consumed the sugary drinks to those who consumed non-sugary drinks.

Lastly, the myth that the smell of fear is real is explored. The hosts explore this myth by conducting an experiment that reveals if fear does indeed have a scent. They create a setup where the participants fear a stimulus in front of them, such as a snake, and then collect sweat samples from them. These samples are then given to others to sniff and identify if they can differentiate between the sweat of a fearful and non-fearful participant.

Overall, this episode is an excellent example of how the Mythbusters series combines science with entertainment to debunk or confirm various popular myths. Through their exciting experiments and expert analysis, the hosts provide viewers with unique insights into the science behind everyday concepts, helping them gain a better understanding of the world around us.