July 08, 2005

Can you build an 'ancient death ray' ? "We're looking for viewers to participate in an upcoming special episode of MythBusters. All you need to do is construct and test an experiment you've designed and send it to us on videotape. ... Category 2: To build a full-scale replica of Archimedes' mirror capable of igniting the target at a minimum distance of 100 feet."

Does anyone else think to challange people with this, specifically the internet's denizens, is a bad idea?

posted by techsmith 19 years ago
  • 'specially those effing cowards!
  • who could care less, but don't.
  • instead of "don't try this at home," now we have "please try this at home, dare ya dare ya."
  • Now wait just a minute: "To participate in the challenge you must: ... (c) refrain from doing anything dangerous" Seems to me that's quite the opposite of the truth, when you're talking about building something that can set things on fire 100 feet away.
  • I seem to remember a movie about Atlantis that ended rather badly after such a challenge...
  • Drew wins.
  • maybe this is a dumb question, but why couldnt you use magnifying glasses and/or mirrors?
  • ...capable of igniting the target at a minimum distance of 100 feet. My son has produced a few diapers capable of doing this, and without the use of mirrors.
  • First of all, it isn't a ray, it's a point. Second of all, this shit does work and even a small parabolic dish of any degree of accuracy and shininess will fuck shit up. So don't mess with this unless you want to have fun. Note: it can be a line if instead of a parabolic dish you bend a sheet in a shallow parabola. But it won't be the sort of line you imagine.
  • * You must not be a candidate for elected public office, and if selected as a participant, you will not become a candidate for elected public office until 12 months after the initial broadcast of the last episode of the series in which you appear. W T F ? ?
  • * You must not be a candidate for elected public office, and if selected as a participant, you will not become a candidate for elected public office until 12 months after the initial broadcast of the last episode of the series in which you appear. Vote for me OR BURN!!!!
  • I AM ZIM
  • ER PREPARE THE BURNING DISH
  • PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BUILDS ANCIENT DEATH RAY, film at 11
  • YOU WILL RUE THE DAY YOU DOUBTED ME, HERCULES BZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKK crackle crackle
  • W T F ? ? They'll be televising the winners, and that would be considered a campaign contribution I suppose.
  • You must never have been convicted of a felony and have never had a restraining order or other injunctive relief entered against you. There must not be any outstanding criminal warrants against you. Aka the "supervillain clause." Curses, foiled again.
  • You will be responsible for all time spent and costs associated with your building, performing and filming your solar death ray. well. there's a requirement you don't see every day.
  • Oh, yeah, sure, you can do all the above, but God help you if you ain't Murican. Jeez, no.
  • It's not that impressive. It's all done with mirrors.
  • Hi, lll!
  • Welcome, new monkey!
  • MonkeyFilter: There must not be any outstanding criminal warrants against you. Well, that lets a bunch of YOU folks out.
  • Hey, you're s'pposed to flame the nubie, not welcome her. Can't you lot get anything right? I'd happily let you loose with a death-ray mirror, 'cos you'd never blow shit up!
  • Couldn't you use some giant fresnel?
  • I'm a boy! I knew that I should have put a comma after 'lady'. But thanks anyhow!!
  • Bond, James Bond
  • Well, now well. I'm just confused.