MythBusters Episode 52: Mind Control

A small room can be quickly painted by detonating a stick of dynamite in a bucket of paint. (Based on an episode of the British comedy series Mr. Bean.)

busted

A stick of dynamite in a bucket of paint cannot distribute the paint evenly enough to fully paint the room; only 40% of the room (around the bottom and part of the ceiling) received paint, and the room took some shrapnel damage (even from a plastic bucket). Furthermore, Adam’s and Jamie’s customized contraptions, designed to help distribute the paint more evenly, failed to produce any successful result.

(This myth was revisited and re-busted in the 2013 episode Painting With Explosives, Bifurcated Boat.)

Remote, nonconsensual mind control can be achieved by a psionic helmet kit.

busted

The test failed to produce any effects.

Remote, nonconsensual mind control can be achieved by pulsed air.

busted

The test failed to produce any effects.

Remote, nonconsensual mind control can be achieved by a spinning magnet.

plausible

While it is plausible that some sort of “mind influence” (determined by looking at EEG recordings) was achieved, there was no actual predictable control of the mind’s state.

Remote, nonconsensual mind control can be achieved by subliminal sound.

busted

The test failed to produce any effects.

Remote, nonconsensual mind control can be achieved by remote hypnosis.

plausible

Enough pre-existing scientific evidence exists regarding hypnosis for the Build Team to call the myth plausible.