[Conceptual Equipped] MacGyver Contains Heroes of Knowledge and Creativity

[Conceptual Equipped] MacGyver Contains Heroes of Knowledge and Creativity

The drama "McGyver," which first aired on ABC in 1985, went beyond just a TV series to become a cultural icon. The unique problem-solving method of the main character Angus McGyver (played by Richard Dean Anderson) gave birth to the new word "MacGyvering," which was officially listed in the Oxford English Dictionary in 2015 to mean "making or repairing things in an improvised and creative way using objects in hand."

The evolution of MacGyver reflects the times. The original (1985-1992) depicts MacGyver acting as an undercover agent for the Phoenix Foundation, against the backdrop of tensions and scientific and technological advances in the Cold War era. In the reboot series (2016-2021), it was reinterpreted as confronting modern threats such as cyber terrorism and climate change.

Of particular note is MacGyver's problem solving method. Improvisational solutions using everyday tools such as Swiss Army knives and duct tape became the trademark of the series. John Cowan, who was the scientific advisor to the original, tried to reflect real scientific principles as much as possible, but some solutions are known to be exaggerated for the dramatic effect of TV.

McGuiber's hero image was unconventional at the time. The protagonist who rejected guns and pursued nonviolence was completely different from the typical action hero represented by Rambo or Die Hard in the 1980s. The setting of a scientist majoring in physics and chemistry was also differentiated from the existing hero image.

Its educational impact is also noteworthy. The National Association of Science Teachers (NSTA) started utilizing MacGyver's problem-solving method in science education in the 1990s. MIT has been holding a hackathon called "MakeMIT" since 2018 to solve problems with limited materials, and is calling it the "modern MacGyver Challenge."

Its pop culture influence is also amazing. MacGruber has been the subject of numerous parodies and references. The MacGruber series from Saturday Night Live was so popular that it was even made into a 2010 independent film. Many famous animations, such as The Simpsons and Futurama, also featured episodes of MacGyber's parody.

The way the series was produced was also noteworthy. Each episode was based on basic scientific principles, which inspired a later scientific documentary, Mythbusters. In fact, the destroying scientists experimented with McGyber's solutions in several episodes.

The reboot series reinterpreted the spirit of the original novel in a modern way. It tried to resonate with the new generation by strengthening gender diversity, reflecting advanced technologies, and dealing with modern ethical issues. In particular, Lucas Till (played by McGyver) focused on reviving the spirit of the original but reflecting the emotions of millennials.

MacGyber's influence continues in the scientific community as well. In a 2019 paper titled The MacGyber Effect: Scientific Problem-Solving Through Creative Provision, Stanford University's engineering journal defined creative problem-solving methods in a limited resource environment as the MacGyber effect.

Now, MacGyver has become a byword for creative problem solving and scientific thinking. Choosing knowledge instead of violence and wisdom instead of weapons, this particular hero has established himself as a cultural icon that blurs the boundaries between entertainment and education.

"Science and creativity can solve more problems than violence ever will."
- ABC Network's official tagline for the MacGyver series (1985)