The Origin of “The Only Difference Between Screwing Around and Science Is Writing It Down”
I'm pleased to give credit for this popular phrase from MythBusters to ballistics expert Alex Jason.
For more Tested.com content become a premium member, subscribe to our YouTube channel and check out our weekly podcast with Adam Savage!
Since I get asked this question a lot, I thought I’d talk about where the “remember kids, the only difference between screwing around and science is writing it down” expression came from.
Its origin derives from the 2012 MythBusters episode, Bouncing Bullet. The myth, from a scene in Burn Notice, was whether bullets could skip off the pavement and into a car. We had a devil of a time doing such a thing safely, but with the help of our frequent contributor, ballistics expert Alex Jason, we succeeded.
The shoot was a tough one, but once we had all of our data, the result was clear. Alex turned to me and said the quote in question. The SECOND he said it, I told him that I was going to say it on camera, and that it would be a big hit of a phrase. He said that was fine with him, so I used it later in the Titanic Survival episode.
Alex thinks it’s hilarious that it’s gone so viral. I’m pleased to give him credit.
18 thoughts on “The Origin of “The Only Difference Between Screwing Around and Science Is Writing It Down””
Leave a Reply
Show And Tell
Adam’s New Animal Masks!
In addition to Adam's collection of helms and helmets, he al…
Making
Ask Adam: When Did You Know Making Would Be A Sust…
In this livestream excerpt, Adam answers Tested member Hrush…
Show And Tell
Adam Inspects a Prototype Machined Brass Pen!
Adam unboxes a set of new writing tools from the designers a…
One Day Builds
Adam’s One Day Builds: Annular Cutter Storage!
Adam walks us through the different kinds of machine tools f…
Making
Ask Adam: What IS It About The Matrix?
In this livestream excerpt, Tested members Rita Bowman and J…
Culture
Star Wars Vintage Action Figure Guides!
While we've been enjoying the incredible Light & Magic docum…
Crisis on Infinite Streaming Services – This is On…
What a week. From the passing of cultural icons like Nichelle Nichols and Bill Russell to the chaos around the Batgirl movie, we could take a breath to process major news as it broke from minute to minute. We discuss our hopes for the future of HBO Max and DC, get pumped for Andor, and get an extended return of A Moment of Science!
Show And Tell
Inside Wētā Workshop’s Animatronics Lab!
Adam Savage visits Wētā Workshop's electronics lab where Ric…
Premium
Adam in Real Time: AT-AT Walker Kit Assembly
Hang out with Adam in his cave for 20 or so minutes as he wo…
I was also always a fan of this effective precursor, from the Exploding Lighters myth (paraphrased a bit):
So many great one-liners from Mythbusters.
Absolutely !
I’m currently wearing my “I reject your reality and substitute my own!” t-shirt.
Funny, I’m wearing my “Failure is always an option!” t-shirt! Nice fashion choice!
So many… “Here comes chaos!” “Well theres your problem!” “When in doubt C4!”
Mythbusters is filled with quotes I use all the time, from “Well there’s your problem” to “I reject your reality and substitute my own.” But this quote is on my wall to serve as a reminder to document my calculations.
“If it’s not documented it didn’t happen” is our catch phrase at work
My favourite is (paraphrased):
“The difference between us and amateurs is that we call the fire department before the experiment!”
I agree that taking notes is helpful in learning. For example, when I write reviews for a BestWritersOnline website, I also take a lot of notes. It helps me to focus on the most important things and not miss any details. This is probably why my reviews are so informative.