Season 1

Episodes • 2014

Seth Herzog
Dancing Disasters

1. Dancing Disasters

min

Amateur lumberjacks provide a tutorial on how to improperly cut down a tree. Seasoned street professionals demonstrate Hooke's Law using a pogo stick. A pole dancer learns a hard lesson in friction and gravity.

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Discus for Dummies

2. Discus for Dummies

min

The "Cannon Ball Ice Dude" racked up 2 million views on YouTube last year with his attempt to jump into a frozen pool. Science of Stupid breaks down the science behind what went wrong with this and other ice-cold stunts.

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Poolside Fails

3. Poolside Fails

min

It is impossible to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon. Take the word of the hundreds of daredevils who have tried this popular Internet challenge -- and failed. Witness the engineering challenges of building a homemade zip line.

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Karate Flops

4. Karate Flops

min

Several viral videos help explain the physics of bouncing on a trampoline. The effect of gravity and momentum are put to the test on a rope swing. Inexperienced break-dancers demonstrate what happens when your center of gravity is misplaced.

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Airbags vs Airheads

5. Airbags vs Airheads

min

The science of a human cannonball is broken down. Parkour enthusiasts show off all the various things that can go wrong when attempting to run across rooftops for sport.

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Learning to Fly

6. Learning to Fly

min

Learn the hard science behind bike and monster truck tricks gone wrong and get a crash course in aeronautical science when paragliders collide with trees, a moving truck and even the Statue of Liberty.

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Rooftop Drops

7. Rooftop Drops

min

Just what is the Internet craze "batman-ing"? Host Seth Herzog explains the downside of ignoring the principles of leverage when hanging upside down from your ankles from doorways, mantels and random public structures.

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Human Tower Disasters

8. Human Tower Disasters

min

Science of Stupid studies the double pendulum effect of a golf swing. Done wrong, and the momentum can knock a golfer off his feet. The secret of walking on stilts is revealed and the kinetic energy of the slingshot is tested on unsuspecting people.

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Zip Lines Fails

9. Zip Lines Fails

min

There's always room for pain when riding a zip line, swings can cause unexpected humiliation, and trying to swallow powdered cinnamon is just not wise..

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Bungee Cord Snaps

10. Bungee Cord Snaps

min

What can possibly go wrong when bungee jumping blindfolded, flying a kite in high winds or hydroplaning a jet sprint boat at 75 miles per hour? After viewing some shocking viral videos, we examine the science behind what went wrong with the stunts.

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Pole Vaulting Mishaps

11. Pole Vaulting Mishaps

min

What can go wrong when a large number of people hurl their bodies down a steep hill while racing to catch a cheese wheel? Then, a few poor high school track stars show how successful or humiliating pole vaulting can be.

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Jet Pack Failure

12. Jet Pack Failure

min

Seth Herzog explores the potential to embarrass, injure and humiliate yourself when rappelling, running up walls and flying with a jet pack.

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Don't Lose Your Lunch

13. Don't Lose Your Lunch

min

What could possibly go wrong when attempting to jump over a moving car, trying a backflip off a brick wall or popping a motocycle "wheelie" on a crowded street? The science behind the failed attempts in stomach-curling viral videos is explained.

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Ring of Fire

14. Ring of Fire

min

nfortunate thrill seekers collide with invincible laws of physics. A man proves that a potato cannon can cause real damage. Two women get a crash course in gravity and real-life "test-dummies" demonstrate the limits of bulletproof vests.

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