We Don't Have a Clue

We Don't Have a Clue

The main objective of the LHC is to validify as well as explore the limits
of the Standard Model of particle physics. First planned to being
providing data a year ago, it has been delayed due to technical problems
with the hardware. It is now scheduled to be turned on and start smashing
particles in November of 2009. Originally the plan was to start small but
some have encouraged a full start up with energy at 14 TeV
(center-of-mass) collisions. The capability of LHC is about 7 times
greater than the faster particle collider currently working at Fermilabs.

Some physicists are concerned over the safety of LHC. I'm excited about
the potential discoveries. But, I'm not a physicist and I can't have a
valid "informed" opionion about the risk. Is it worth the risk? I think
so.

What are the opponents to LHC saying? They assert that the LHC has the
potential to create micro black holes (comparable to primordial black
holes) which could grow into massive black holes and release radiation
which may be dangerous to cabon based life.  There are various
speculations of doomsday scenarios (there always is).
There is the expectation that many theoretical particles will be created,
i.e. strangelets, magnetic monopoles, Ed Whitten type "M-theory" membranes
or vacuum bubbles.

While some are fearful, including Toby Ord of the Humanity Institute where
he is a research associate, others, such as Sir Martin Rees, the famous
English astrophysicist who wrote about it in his book, Our Final Century:
Will the Human Race Survive the Twenty-First Century? - the risk is small
- at the "upper limit" only 1 in 50 million for the probability of a
catastropic "end of time" as we know it type event.

We may know a lot more than we did a decade ago but there is very much we
don't know. We don't even have a clue about the universe; that is, what
constitutes over 90% of it.

Hank Roth


(The InterNUT has changed exponentially from what it once was. It has lost
its usefullness [my view]. I'm considering a VPN here for those who are
serious about discussing the mysteries of life - in lieu of soundbites and
wasted space and time on social networking and blog sites. If you are
interested in critical "intelligent" discussion, you may like to apply for
access. Let me know. HR)