Are you a Skeptic?

For this quest, I decided to use Mythbusters. Mythbusters is an ongoing television show that is viewed by many. Mythbuster is set to educated people, on when they believe urban myths and theories.

■What are the stated mission, values and goals of the organization?  (These might be stated directly in the organization's materials or you may have to determine this for yourself.)

The guys on mythbusters set out to prove or disprove urban myths and theories; during each show they use the scientific method to do this. They are trying to take real world issues and prove that there is or is not something to a myth that either benefits or hinders our society.

 ■What kind of claims or ideas does the organization investigate?
Mythbusters sets out to prove urban myths and theories. These have included many different types of investigations such as:

·         Alcohol Tolerances

·         Prison Security

·         Do Hurricane Windows Help?

·         Does a Dirty Car get Worse Gas Mileage than a Clean Car?

 ■Is there a standardize approach to investigating claims that the group follows?  Or is each problem tackled in a different way?
Mythbusters always uses a direct form of the scientific method to conduct their investigations.  They always have a hypothesis, use a test to test the educated guess, and then draw conclusions from this test.  Sometimes the tests are conducted in different ways but it is always within the confines of the scientific method.
■How does the organization present and promote critical thinking?
Mythbusters promotes critical thinking in a very subtle way, one that you may not even think about yourself after viewing the show for the first time.  The mythbuster gang use very relevant topics to the average American.  These have included things like: what uses more gas, running the air conditioner, or driving with the windows down.  Because this issue is relevant to the viewer you make your own hypothesis in your head at the beginning of the show.  This makes you think about how the inner workings of the engine compartment come together, and you decide for yourself on what you believe for the issue.  After you have done all of this thinking, you watch the rest of the show, pay attention to the test, and can improve your knowledge when they come out with their own conclusion based on real data compiled in their tastings.

 ■Does the fact that information is presented via an element of popular culture affect the questions being asked, the investigation or the results?  In other words, is rigorous critical thinking being compromised by the needs to appeal to a large audience?

In the case of mythbusters, I believe the appeal of a large audience comes from the myth itself, one that is relevant to all or one that requires a test that is going to be full of action, such as an explosion.  The critical thinking is not compromised at all because when the audience cares about the topic it actually stimulates more critical thinking on their part during the show.  Mythbusters never steers away from the scientific method, sometimes the results are inconclusive, even because they did the wrong test when looking for wow factor, but this just encourages more audience thought after the show, maybe a discussion at the family dinner table long after the show has ended.