Brainiac: Science Abuse

The results of one of the experiments were forged (the one with alkali metals). The crew admitted that. I wonder how many more were forged, and they got away with that. Even without forged results, scientific methodology (replication, statistical significance testing) simply doesn't exist in the show.

"Science abuse" indeed.

It's not my personal favourite, but it still is a good show! I recommend it for those interested in science but want a fun way to experience it! This is the show for you!

It was great to watch as a kid in the noughties but most of the "Science Facts" have been proven wrong over the past 15 years. The show is more than dead now. Even the "Things that make you go hmmm" segment is easily explainable now thanks to quick easy internet.

I'm an American, and to my knowledge this show hasn't yet made it to US TV so I can't actually review it. I've only seen their now infamous clip on alkali metals.

Last night I saw the Mythbusters demonstrate that Brainiac faked their spectacular explosions with rubidium and cesium metal. I have to say that I'm more than a little dismayed. Like many people, I'd been taken. I remember thinking that the rubidium and cesium explosions seemed well out of proportion to the much less violent lithium, sodium and potassium reactions. But hydrogen/air/heat mixtures are highly unpredictable, and besides who can argue with empirical evidence?

Lying just isn't cool, even (especially) in the cause of science education. There's no greater sin in science and engineering than faking a demo.

Now I fully understand that "Brainiac: Science Abuse" is more about entertainment than science, and some forms of entertainment such as magic rely entirely on deception. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that as long as you label it as such.

But just as the occasional magician crosses the line when he claims real supernatural powers, so does an show like Brainiac when it claims to be doing real science experiments.

Now if I ever do get to watch this show, I'll be too busy continually wondering if what I'm seeing is real or fake to enjoy it. It will certainly ruin whatever educational value it might have had.

Shame on you guys.

It is rather dumb! Compared to the obvious other show it is compared to Mythbusters it lacks a scientific basis. Also really tits and explosions.. so what?

Then again if you are coming from your boring job, just been through bad traffic and the neighbours freaking dog can't stop barking. Yeah I see the position of this kind of television show. It is for when you want to switch of your brains :)

Hell there are whole themed television channels where you can simple switch off your thinking, drink beer and be entertained.

Now what I miss is the sticking factor. I mean really with brainiac you can only say "Hey seen that explosion on Brainiac" and what do you get back "What of the 10?"

Some might feel hurt by what I am saying now but it is moronic. I remember that after a good Mythbusters and during I and the ones I life with actually talk about how we would do it? How we can see a thing to work, very interactive!

You know that is why it gets a 3, it is entertainment and it works. But you simply forget it exists! It doesn't leaves anything behind! There is no sticking power no deeper thoughts. 3 out of 10 it is!