Re: [Phys-l] fire starter from the sun - revisited

["Folkerts, Timothy J" <FolkertsT@bartonccc.edu>]

There's nothing like good data to settle an argument.  Unfortunately,
"Myth Busters" is nothing like good data. ;-)

I have watched the show a few times, but I found myself constantly
questioning their scientific and engineering expertise.  Details that
seemed perfectly obvious to me completely escaped them.  It was mildly
entertaining, but certainly not the place I would go for examples to
show in class of how to approach scientific or engineering problems.  

I this case I can plausibly believe the conclusion that lighting ships
on fire would be tough, but I wouldn't base my decision on "Myth
Busters".

Tim F 


> The "Myth Busters" TV show had a segment several months ago
> investigating the myth of Archimedes' "Death Ray". ...