Latest update in the search for the Higgs boson

[Leoreth]

People of the "space brigade" are usually pretty positive towards physical research, too. They have plenty of other expenditures to complain about first.

I'm more surprised at the lack of "how does that allow us to blow up stuff?" responses. Or bewilderment at how a civilian research facility managed to come up with something without the blessing of military motivation.

 

[Save_Ferris]

Lets just say that if they can manipulate this, we will be using nuclear light bulbs, and babies will be doing chemistry experiments in the womb.

From what I understand, the Higgs Boson gives particles mass. I don't see how this can be effectively manipulated.

 

[timtofly]

From what I understand, the Higgs Boson gives particles mass. I don't see how this can be effectively manipulated.

They said that about the atom also, go figure.

 

[Thorgalaeg]

Knowing what the hell is matter indeed is the first step to control it. Havent heard about UFOs being able of instantaneous accelerations? ETs obviously knows how to manipulate Higgs field. Now it is our turn. So, prepare to die you stinking little green dwarves muhahaha!

 

[AlpsStranger]

So how long is it until I can drain a car battery to materialize a plate of Pepper Steak with Onions?

Kidding of course

 

[Save_Ferris]

If you can find a way to remove the mass of these particles, move them, and put the mass back, that would make teleportation possible, I guess.

 

[MagisterCultuum]

I don't think that would allow actual teleportation, but it probably would allow travel at the speed of light.

 

[Arakhor]

They said that about the atom also, go figure.

Given that the HB is a tiny part of the atom, that's fair enough.

 

[Lord_Iggy]

Link to video.

I found this video to be quite helpful in explaining the Higgs Field and the Higgs Boson by means of metaphor.

 

[Lord_Iggy]

This video by PhD Comics is also a very helpful explanation.

 

[NovaKart]

I feel like I just stepped onto the set of the Big Bang Theory, what on earth is a higg's boson?

 

[Lord_Iggy]

It is a particle that imbues other particles with the property of mass. It gives things the thing that we call 'mass'. The videos that have been linked are a great explanation.

 

[Winner]

EDIT: BTW, I'm pretty surprised that our space brigade isn't jumping in this thread and shouting that the money should be better spend otherwise.

Explain this comment.

 

[Lord_Iggy]

I don't know about a Space Brigade in OT, but I assume he refers to people who would rather see this amount of research money put towards space exploration.

 

[Winner]

I don't know about a Space Brigade in OT, but I assume he refers to people who would rather see this amount of research money put towards space exploration.

It seems to me he's trying to imply some sort of a conflict between people who promote space exploration and theoretical physicists. Which is nonsense. As a proud member of the 'space brigade', I wish CERN every success in what they're doing. Especially since it is a European achievement for a change.

I know there is a clash of interest in Britain (and maybe Europe in general) between astronomers and others in the space community. (Some) astronomers basically maintain that human spaceflight is totally useless, that humans should forever remain on Earth and that the main purpose of the space programme is to provide them with tools with which they observe the Universe. Anything else is called a "waste of money". But I am sure even these people would see the importance of understanding how the Universe works on a subatomic level, especially since it is vital for filling the gaps in our theoretical models (dark matter and all that crap).

 

[Algeroth]

Explain this comment.

What Iggy said. Maybe i was overreacting, but the bitter taste from this thread never gone away.

 

[plarq]

Space research and high energy physics have a lot of common interests.

 

[dutchfire]

I know there is a clash of interest in Britain (and maybe Europe in general) between astronomers and others in the space community. (Some) astronomers basically maintain that human spaceflight is totally useless, that humans should forever remain on Earth and that the main purpose of the space programme is to provide them with tools with which they observe the Universe. Anything else is called a "waste of money". But I am sure even these people would see the importance of understanding how the Universe works on a subatomic level, especially since it is vital for filling the gaps in our theoretical models (dark matter and all that crap).

As someone who you would probably put in this category: I think these people are even more likely to support high energy physics research, since it is rather the same kind of research (and there are lots of possible collaborations. I've read about people trying to estimate the neutrino masses from Cosmology.). I'm not against human spaceflight per se, I just think it is overfunded compared to fundamental research since it is cute. Just like finding far-away planets gets more funding than it should get based on scientific criteria alone.

 

[Winner]

As someone who you would probably put in this category: I think these people are even more likely to support high energy physics research, since it is rather the same kind of research (and there are lots of possible collaborations. I've read about people trying to estimate the neutrino masses from Cosmology.). I'm not against human spaceflight per se, I just think it is overfunded compared to fundamental research since it is cute. Just like finding far-away planets gets more funding than it should get based on scientific criteria alone.

That's a valid point of view, but I don't share it. Science gets funded because it is useful, both practically and politically. In order to make those who send the money care, you need to impress them with something. That's what pretty pictures from Mars rovers, space probes, and the ISS are for. Plus, human spaceflight is not useless scientifically and it does help to advance our technology.

I think it is a great thing that CERN has managed to make the public (well, the media at least) care so much about what they're doing. 99.999% of those following the latest discoveries on news webs have no idea what it really is all about, but they care. And if they care, the politicians who make decisions about science budgets will care and all the good work will continue. to that.

 

[peter grimes]

That's a valid point of view, but I don't share it. Science gets funded because it is useful, both practically and politically. In order to make those who send the money care, you need to impress them with something. That's what pretty pictures from Mars rovers, space probes, and the ISS are for. Plus, human spaceflight is not useless scientifically and it does help to advance our technology.

I think it is a great thing that CERN has managed to make the public (well, the media at least) care so much about what they're doing. 99.999% of those following the latest discoveries on news webs have no idea what it really is all about, but they care. And if they care, the politicians who make decisions about science budgets will care and all the good work will continue. to that.

I. AM. THE 99.999%!!!

but I nonetheless want to fund pure research (I.e. no pretty pictures) with a significant fraction of my tax dollars. I also want to fund manned space flights. I'd rather not be funding armed incursions and forward basing postures and such, but I can only whine so much