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Amusing footnote: The reporting calls himself "Alan Wong" but his name appears as "Alan Wang"

Wow I'm surprised they permit use of cannons with serious potential like that on a relatively small plot of land in close proximity to dense population

Mythbuster's should have done a few more calculations on that one and used somewhere a little more remote for that test...

Seriously, don't they use the desert some times?

No matter what I do or what directions my research takes, I'm never going to live down the AP broomstick incident, am I?

Also, it'll be interesting to see what this mishap means for the Mythbusters. Considering that they were working at the Alameda County bomb range, any liability for this incident would lie with the officials operating the range, not the show's cast or the Discovery network.

This isn't the first instance of them causing damage (the "knock your socks off" ANFO blast damaged homes in a nearby town), but I think it's the first one which had the potential for fatalities outside the cast or supervisors.

Something like this did seem likely to happen eventually. There's a distinct difference between a bomb range and an artillery range, and they've got a great example here of the reason for that.

DYI wrote:No matter what I do or what directions my research takes, I'm never going to live down the AP broomstick incident, am I?

Alas, that is the way of the forum - in the same way that if Gun Freak in future operates a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, he will be asked why he isn't driving one of these instead, if POLAND_SPUD settles for a monogamous relationship with his one true love he will still be asked whether he prefers a 3-way, and no matter how many machine tools I purchase it will always be alleged that I reside in an epoxy batcave

Also, it'll be interesting to see what this mishap means for the Mythbusters.

It could have been much worse. I hope this doesn't kill off the program, and hardcore fans will think the incident was AWESUM!!!, as to the general public... it remains to be seen.

Alas, that is the way of the forum - in the same way that if Gun Freak in future operates a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, he will be asked why he isn't driving one of these instead

This incident is quite funny

Yes, a cannon ball does damage! I heard one news report saying it bounced off the house across six lanes of traffic through a minivan window...

You do realize there's going to be a group of people totally against any kind of this type of experimentation pointing this out and exploiting it as much as possible.

Edit: So the news reports are pretty close. 1000 FPS really? I want to see the cannon.

I measured the distance of the shot as shown on the news video. According to google earth, the distance is 3,265 yrds. That makes no sense. Well, as they say...... " Don't try this at home because we're what you call ....professionals".

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SpudBlaster15 wrote:I'm rather amazed that they would be permitted to aim what is presumably a large bore, solid propellant based cannon in the direction of a densely populated residential area, which happens to be situated less than 1km away from the test site. This is beyond reckless stupidity, and everyone involved is incredibly lucky that nobody was killed.

I agree with that in it's entirety. This is a great example to all ways be sure of safety first!

Haha..

I was informed at work...
First reaction: STUPID SH%$S

But then again...if no lawsuit forces the show off the air now...they are legends because of it.

It would have really sucked if someone got injured though.

Do they ever get stuff right?
I mean...blasting a grappling hook through the wall ...neighbours looking through the hole?!?!

And that magic icebullet??
Ever heard of a .50 Dragonslayer??
Never even considered pneumatics...

So...
My final reaction is still

STUPID SH$#S!

mobile chernobyl wrote:Wow I'm surprised they permit use of cannons with serious potential like that on a relatively small plot of land in close proximity to dense population

Mythbuster's should have done a few more calculations on that one and used somewhere a little more remote for that test...

More calculations? I think people lose sight of the fact that they're entertainers and not scientists.

Someone along the line should have done their job better though

I think the MythBusters aren't responsible and aren't the ones calling the shots, as inonickname said, they're only entertainers (although they are reasonably well educated in most scientific fields). One would think they would have certain experts and professionals who call the shots as to where they shoot, what they shoot and what safety measures they have to ensure everyone is safe.

If not, they would at least have professionals to check it over (I hope).

SpudBlaster15 wrote:This is beyond reckless stupidity, and everyone involved is incredibly lucky that nobody was killed.

I agree that it was irresponsible, and that the blame certainly cannot be placed squarely on the presenters' shoulders, I am confident that there are people employed by the producers whose job it is to prevent this sort of scenario.

What I disagree with is the notion that they were "lucky" that nobody was hurt. When you consider all the possible trajectories, it would have been a miracle if the thing actually did hit someone.

Some interesting, if transmitted in dull and smug monotone, thoughts on human notions of probability:

MrCrowley wrote:They're only entertainers (although they are reasonably well educated in most scientific fields).

Just like I'm educated in thermodynamics, just ask DYI of my incredible insight in the field.

Personally I've got no time for the show, no time for the minor presenters, and no time for most of the things they do. Jamie has my respect, but that's as far as I go. I'm not surprised something like this happened whatsoever.