The Never-Aired Myth Jamie Killed With One Question

Summary

Ryan Massie reflects on his time working on *MythBusters*, offering behind-the-scenes insights into the show's creative process. He shares an anecdote about discarding the Indiana Jones ‘boulder’ myth after realizing the test lacked meaningful parameters. Ryan also discusses personal growth through collaboration, particularly in the kitchen with his wife, where he learned to set aside ego and embrace her expertise. The conversation highlights the importance of purposeful creativity, team dynamics, and the role of environment in fostering innovation, both in professional projects and personal partnerships.

Takeaways

• 😀 The MythBusters team once scrapped an entire myth after extensive preparation, realizing that the test lacked any real stakes or interesting parameters to explore.
• 😀 One example of a myth that was abandoned was based on the Indiana Jones rolling boulder scene. Despite investing in a Zorb ball to simulate the boulder, the team decided there was no compelling reason to test it after questioning the relevance of the myth.
• 😀 The show's success allowed the MythBusters team to work creatively without much interference from network pressures, especially in the earlier years of production.
• 😀 Ryan Massie reflects on a project with his wife where they collaborated more effectively in the kitchen after he let go of his ego and acknowledged her superior cooking skills.
• 😀 A key moment of realization for Ryan was when he had an argument with his wife about kitchen tasks. He eventually admitted that he was less skilled than she was and embraced being her supportive partner in the kitchen.
• 😀 Ryan describes how working with his wife on various projects, like woodworking and ceramics, has improved their creative collaboration and strengthened their relationship.
• 😀 In contrast to his kitchen struggles, Ryan's approach to measuring in a design project (drawing a floor plan) highlights his more focused and structured side, yet his wife found his intense attention to detail overwhelming.
• 😀 Ryan draws a parallel between his creative workspace and the studio of artist Chico MCM Mery, where the physical environment seemed to 'reject' anyone not focused on working, which taught him about the power of a space's design to influence productivity.
• 😀 The story also highlights how Ryan has embraced his wife's creative pursuits, even though his initial workspace (which was overwhelming) felt like too much until he saw her interest in it.
• 😀 Ryan concludes by emphasizing the importance of collaboration in creative processes, noting that his partnership with his wife has been a transformative journey that goes beyond just completing tasks to truly enjoying the process.

Q & A

What happened during the 'Indiana Jones' myth testing that led to the cancellation of one of the experiments?

During the testing of the 'Indiana Jones' myth, the team was preparing to test whether Indy could outrun a giant stone ball. However, Jamie questioned the relevance of the test, as they had no accurate way to measure the size or speed of the original stone from the movie. The myth was ultimately scrapped because there were no clear parameters to test, making it an uninteresting and untestable experiment.

How did Jamie's question change the direction of the experiment with the Zorb?

Jamie asked, 'Why are we doing this?' when the team was preparing to test the Zorb as a stand-in for the giant rolling stone. His question made everyone realize that they had no basis for measuring or comparing the real stone from the film. This led to the immediate cancellation of the Zorb experiment, as there was no meaningful test to be done.

What was the role of the network in shaping the MythBusters' experiments?

Initially, the MythBusters team was insulated from network pressures because the show was very successful. However, later in the series, the network would occasionally request episodes inspired by other popular shows, like 'Deadliest Catch' or 'Man vs. Wild.' Despite this, the team enjoyed a high degree of creative freedom for much of the show's run.

How did the speaker's relationship with their partner evolve in the kitchen?

Initially, the speaker struggled with their ego and self-esteem in the kitchen, especially when their wife, a more skilled cook, would ask for things to be done in a specific way. Over time, the speaker realized the value of embracing their wife’s expertise and letting go of their ego. This shift allowed for much better collaboration in the kitchen.

Why did the speaker feel resistant to using a different knife for chopping garlic?

The speaker's resistance to using a different knife stemmed from a personal attachment to their favorite knife. They were focused on demonstrating their own skills, which led to frustration when their wife suggested a better tool for the task.

What realization did the speaker have after an argument with their wife in the kitchen?

The speaker realized that they were not the most skilled cook in the house and that their wife was far better at executing certain kitchen tasks. Accepting this allowed them to stop fighting their ego and become a better collaborator in the kitchen.

How did the speaker’s attitude toward collaboration in the kitchen change over time?

The speaker’s attitude changed from resistance to embracing their wife’s expertise. By removing their ego from the equation and adopting a more collaborative approach, their kitchen teamwork improved significantly.

How does the speaker describe their working space, and how does it influence their productivity?

The speaker describes their working space as intentionally overwhelming, filled with tools and materials that encourage focused work. They liken it to an artist’s studio that rejects anyone not actively working, which pushes them to stay productive. However, the space can be overwhelming to others, including their wife.

What did the speaker learn from their experience working for an artist named Chico MCM Mery?

The speaker learned that the way a workspace is designed can either welcome or reject people. Chico's studio, for example, was set up to encourage work and discouraged hanging out, which gave the space a very specific energy focused solely on production.

How does the speaker view their relationship with their wife now that they are both working on creative projects together?

The speaker views their creative partnership with their wife as an ongoing process that has become more fulfilling. They now work together on projects like ceramics and woodworking, where they both contribute and collaborate in the same physical space, enhancing their relationship and creative synergy.