Large Hadron Collider and the Potential for Cataclysm
In less than two months an unprecedented facility will come into use which promises to unveil untold amounts of information about the physical properties of our universe. As always though some people think this could have unforeseen consequences.
The facility:
http://www.uslhc.us/What_is_the_LHC
Quote:
An international team is currently installing the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in a 27-kilometer ring buried deep below the countryside on the outskirts of Geneva, Switzerland. When its operations begin in 2008, the LHC will be the world’s most powerful particle accelerator. Scientists predict that its very-high-energy proton collisions will yield extraordinary discoveries about the nature of the physical universe. Beyond revealing a new world of unknown particles, the LHC experiments could explain why those particles exist and behave as they do. The LHC experiments could reveal the origins of mass, shed light on dark matter, uncover hidden symmetries of the universe, and possibly find extra dimensions of space.
The controversy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Hadron_Collider
Quote:
Concerns have been raised that performing collisions at previously unexplored energies might unleash new and disastrous phenomena. These include the production of micro black holes, and strangelets, potentially resulting in a doomsday scenario. Such issues were raised in connection with the RHIC accelerator, both in the media[16][17] and in the scientific community;[18] however, after detailed studies, scientists reached such conclusions as "beyond reasonable doubt, heavy-ion experiments at RHIC will not endanger our planet"[19] and that there is "powerful empirical evidence against the possibility of dangerous strangelet production."[20]
One argument against such fears is that collisions at these energies (and higher) have been happening in nature for billions of years apparently without hazardous effects, as ultra-high-energy cosmic rays impact Earth's atmosphere and other bodies in the universe.[21] A concern against this cosmic-ray argument is that, if dangerous strangelets or micro black holes were created at LHC, a proportion would have less than the Earth's escape velocity (of 11.2 km/s), and therefore would be captured by the Earth's gravitational field, whereas those created by high-energy cosmic rays would leave the planet at high speed, due to the laws of conservation of momentum at relativistic speeds
The countdown:
http://www.lhcountdown.com/
So...are we gonna see a portal to Hell created like in Doom 3 or possibly one to another dimension like in Half-life? I'd keep your crowbar and flashlight handy. Oh and some duct tape.
Sincerely,
The Vault Dweller
The facility:
http://www.uslhc.us/What_is_the_LHC
Quote:
An international team is currently installing the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in a 27-kilometer ring buried deep below the countryside on the outskirts of Geneva, Switzerland. When its operations begin in 2008, the LHC will be the world’s most powerful particle accelerator. Scientists predict that its very-high-energy proton collisions will yield extraordinary discoveries about the nature of the physical universe. Beyond revealing a new world of unknown particles, the LHC experiments could explain why those particles exist and behave as they do. The LHC experiments could reveal the origins of mass, shed light on dark matter, uncover hidden symmetries of the universe, and possibly find extra dimensions of space.
The controversy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Hadron_Collider
Quote:
Concerns have been raised that performing collisions at previously unexplored energies might unleash new and disastrous phenomena. These include the production of micro black holes, and strangelets, potentially resulting in a doomsday scenario. Such issues were raised in connection with the RHIC accelerator, both in the media[16][17] and in the scientific community;[18] however, after detailed studies, scientists reached such conclusions as "beyond reasonable doubt, heavy-ion experiments at RHIC will not endanger our planet"[19] and that there is "powerful empirical evidence against the possibility of dangerous strangelet production."[20]
One argument against such fears is that collisions at these energies (and higher) have been happening in nature for billions of years apparently without hazardous effects, as ultra-high-energy cosmic rays impact Earth's atmosphere and other bodies in the universe.[21] A concern against this cosmic-ray argument is that, if dangerous strangelets or micro black holes were created at LHC, a proportion would have less than the Earth's escape velocity (of 11.2 km/s), and therefore would be captured by the Earth's gravitational field, whereas those created by high-energy cosmic rays would leave the planet at high speed, due to the laws of conservation of momentum at relativistic speeds
The countdown:
http://www.lhcountdown.com/
So...are we gonna see a portal to Hell created like in Doom 3 or possibly one to another dimension like in Half-life? I'd keep your crowbar and flashlight handy. Oh and some duct tape.
Sincerely,
The Vault Dweller
It's an unprecedented human facility, but it's nothing much more that what happens in our upper atmosphere _all the time_. Indeed, it's a couple orders of magnitude less powerful than those collisions.
Hearing doomsday nuts raving about the end of the world almost makes you wish it really happened, just to get them to finally STFU.
As for the LHC... The whole project sounds like a waste of money and time, however, I'm far too ignorant about particle accelerators to have a serious opinion- When they build an even bigger complex after this one doesn't find the Higgs boson my feelings will be more justified. =)
As for the LHC... The whole project sounds like a waste of money and time, however, I'm far too ignorant about particle accelerators to have a serious opinion- When they build an even bigger complex after this one doesn't find the Higgs boson my feelings will be more justified. =)
I personally would feel elated if they do *not* find the Higgs Boson.
-edit
Because then the planet will be crushed to roughly the size of a pea.
-edit
Because then the planet will be crushed to roughly the size of a pea.
Nah, the apocalyptic disaster won't happen till 2012 
if the world ends cant i just save before hand and reload?
btw if the world ends i want something a little more heavy duty than a crow bar and some duck tape. maybe a battalion of marines or three.
btw if the world ends i want something a little more heavy duty than a crow bar and some duck tape. maybe a battalion of marines or three.
2012... I guess that sounds about right, considering it will likely take 3-4 years to make the thing operational in the first place.
Meanwhile, I vote for d-mods and Happy Times! (oops, reference to another thread, sorry)
Meanwhile, I vote for d-mods and Happy Times! (oops, reference to another thread, sorry)
It's interesting to note that 2012 is also the year
of the Mayan Prophecy.
'This time we are now in has been called "The Time of Trial on Earth," "Judgement Day," "The Time of Great Purification," "The End of this Creation," "The Quickening," "The End of Time as We Know It," "The Shift of the Ages." It is foretold that the completion of the Precession brings regeneration of Earth, offering awakening to all open, willing hearts. Many peoples spoke of these last days of the Great Cycle, including the: Maya, Hopi, Egyptians, Kabbalists, Essenes, Qero elders of Peru, Navajo, Cherokee, Apache, Iroquois confederacy, Dogon Tribe, and Aborigines. '
'Depending on who you talk to and what area you research, one can find all kinds of claims as to what can be expected. From cataclysm to enlightenment, world war to world peace, massive earth changes and physical destruction, to massive spiritual awakening to our inherent oneness, there are many views of the implications of the approaching year 2012, 2013, and beyond. One thing is clear - we are right in the thick of this critical, transformative period! As this date approaches, we are collectively in a transition phase of the old world dying and a new world being born.'
of the Mayan Prophecy.
'This time we are now in has been called "The Time of Trial on Earth," "Judgement Day," "The Time of Great Purification," "The End of this Creation," "The Quickening," "The End of Time as We Know It," "The Shift of the Ages." It is foretold that the completion of the Precession brings regeneration of Earth, offering awakening to all open, willing hearts. Many peoples spoke of these last days of the Great Cycle, including the: Maya, Hopi, Egyptians, Kabbalists, Essenes, Qero elders of Peru, Navajo, Cherokee, Apache, Iroquois confederacy, Dogon Tribe, and Aborigines. '
'Depending on who you talk to and what area you research, one can find all kinds of claims as to what can be expected. From cataclysm to enlightenment, world war to world peace, massive earth changes and physical destruction, to massive spiritual awakening to our inherent oneness, there are many views of the implications of the approaching year 2012, 2013, and beyond. One thing is clear - we are right in the thick of this critical, transformative period! As this date approaches, we are collectively in a transition phase of the old world dying and a new world being born.'
