2000 scientists from the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) are set to have a really good time this Summer and Fall. They are about to start up the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a gigantic (kilometers long) scientific instrument near Geneva, where it spans the border between Switzerland and France about 100 meters underground. It's a particle accelerator used by physicists to study the smallest known particles – the fundamental building blocks of all things. It will revolutionize our understanding, from the minuscule world deep within atoms to the vastness of the Universe.....or maybe just blow the entire planet to space dust. See, they plan to use the LHC to recreate the conditions just after the Big Bang, by colliding the two beams head-on at very high energy.
( actual photo from inside the LHC)
Now, I'm no physicist but I do know that the Big Bang was a pretty powerful explosion....so powerful THAT THE FREAKING UNIVERSE WAS CREATED FROM IT! So now they are recreating the Big Bang underground this fall? The CERN's official website says, "There are many theories as to what will result from these collisions but what's for sure is that a brave new world of physics will emerge from the new accelerator, as knowledge in particle physics goes on to describe the workings of the Universe." Of course the CERN shrug off any talk of dangerous consequences. An accidental black hole? "unlikely and if it did happen, it would be a really, really small one" they say.
The Hermit is very much pro-science. However, this experiment is a big deal and considering the enormity of the project, there hasn't been all that much coverage. Yeah I know all the scientific papers show there is no real danger. I just think that this is an important event and it should be something discussed and debated. Not because it's potentially dangerous but because this experiment might reveal some important info about the nature of the universe. If we have time to check out where Benifer are vacationing, we can surely take a few moments to discuss major scientific breakthroughs, can't we?
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deFp4JtfR4w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPxYdObyJ2A
Actually the scientific papers that argue no danger were created by CERN employees and approved by CERN's board.
A number of PHD level scientists have expressed concern. Most notably Professor Otto Rossler calculates that if the Large Hadron Collider creates micro black holes they will destroy the planet in 50 months to 50 years.
LHCFacts.org
Posted by: JTankers | August 03, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Now I'm officially freaked out having read a bit more about Professor Rossler.
Thanks Hermit for making me aware of something so potentially devastating that I have no power to change.
Posted by: Leo | August 04, 2008 at 04:34 PM
Bring it!!!! I will be embraced in the warm bosom of the sweet virgin in the pearly gates. I rather it happen now since I have such debt.
Posted by: Coz | August 08, 2008 at 01:39 AM
Actually a PhD/ Military Junta leader - Marvin Da Martian - is behind all this according to intelligence.
Posted by: Coz | August 08, 2008 at 01:40 AM
Yes Yes! Word is he will install the "explosive space modulater" in it.
Posted by: HaplessHermit | August 08, 2008 at 11:52 AM
From the official website:
"Geneva, 7 August 2008. CERN1 has today announced that the first attempt to circulate a beam in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will be made on 10 September. This news comes as the cool down phase of commissioning CERN’s new particle accelerator reaches a successful conclusion. Television coverage of the start-up will be made available through Eurovision."
---I wonder if it will be televised here in the states? Probably not, we have to watch American Idol that night.
Posted by: HaplessHermit | August 10, 2008 at 11:37 AM