Let's talk Science
- swabie2424
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Not sure how many people here are interested in the sciences, but I am despite not being in the field. Just thought others might want to chat about new scientific developments.
I'll lead with a biggie. The news about the confirmation of the Higgs boson is unreal. CERN has been a smashing success (pun intended). This has to be Nobel worthy and should change the universe we live in.
http://news.yahoo.com/closer-look-higgs ... 27722.html
I'll lead with a biggie. The news about the confirmation of the Higgs boson is unreal. CERN has been a smashing success (pun intended). This has to be Nobel worthy and should change the universe we live in.
http://news.yahoo.com/closer-look-higgs ... 27722.html
I find it amusing how the "god particle" got it's name (rather than the originally proposed "goddamn particle" due to it's elusiveness):
Higgs does not hold a religious faith but notes that many scientists in his field do, and argues that belief and science can co-exist. He is displeased that the Higgs particle is nicknamed the "God particle", as he believes the term "might offend people who are religious". Usually this nickname for the Higgs boson is attributed to Leon Lederman, the author of the book The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the Question?, but the name is the result of the insistence of Lederman's publisher: Lederman had originally intended to refer to it as the "goddamn particle". — Wikipedia
Higgs does not hold a religious faith but notes that many scientists in his field do, and argues that belief and science can co-exist. He is displeased that the Higgs particle is nicknamed the "God particle", as he believes the term "might offend people who are religious". Usually this nickname for the Higgs boson is attributed to Leon Lederman, the author of the book The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the Question?, but the name is the result of the insistence of Lederman's publisher: Lederman had originally intended to refer to it as the "goddamn particle". — Wikipedia
- drummer7795
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FKozik wrote:see you in hell.
mistersmith wrote:If you didn't want Horkey to tear you up you shouldn't have worn that short skirt.
- skis007
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Please, don't turn this into reddit.drummer7795 wrote:let's all ponder our universal worthlessness!
carl sagan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGK84Poeynk
I was excited to hear the news about the Higgs Boson, but the twitter reactions at the end of this article made me a bit sad.
Totally fascinating.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/14/3 ... found.html
Someone needs to make a print of this.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/14/3 ... found.html
Someone needs to make a print of this.
- mistersmith
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I mean, finding that particle is cool and all, but I have to ask: what for. With so much crap in the world not going right, I wonder why it's so important to figure this out right now.
I would rather these super-geniuses applied their talents to cheap energy, water cleanliness, eradication and/or treatment of disease, etc. Science is rad, but apply that fudge. The specifics of a subatomic particle just seems like the kinds of thing that can wait until after Utopia.
Still: it's impressive.
I would rather these super-geniuses applied their talents to cheap energy, water cleanliness, eradication and/or treatment of disease, etc. Science is rad, but apply that fudge. The specifics of a subatomic particle just seems like the kinds of thing that can wait until after Utopia.
Still: it's impressive.
Take this man at his word:electrachrome, mostly kidding wrote:mr smith, EB's poet laureate.
misterx wrote:Don't enter into discourse with me.
- SurfingJeff
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I would argue that a deeper understanding of physics is fundamental to getting cheap energy. Scientists don't apply anyways, that's what engineers are for ...mistersmith wrote: I would rather these super-geniuses applied their talents to cheap energy, water cleanliness, eradication and/or treatment of disease, etc. Science is rad, but apply that fudge. The specifics of a subatomic particle just seems like the kinds of thing that can wait until after Utopia.
Still: it's impressive.
T.H.C.
I'd also argue that many of those issues persist more or less because of politics.SurfingJeff wrote:I would argue that a deeper understanding of physics is fundamental to getting cheap energy. Scientists don't apply anyways, that's what engineers are for ...mistersmith wrote: I would rather these super-geniuses applied their talents to cheap energy, water cleanliness, eradication and/or treatment of disease, etc. Science is rad, but apply that fudge. The specifics of a subatomic particle just seems like the kinds of thing that can wait until after Utopia.
Still: it's impressive.
- drummer7795
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Exactly. Treating diseases keeps the pharmaceutical giants rich. Why cure anything.
FKozik wrote:see you in hell.
mistersmith wrote:If you didn't want Horkey to tear you up you shouldn't have worn that short skirt.
These aren't the only smart people in the world. Other smarty pants are working on your stuff that's important to you.mistersmith wrote:I mean, finding that particle is cool and all, but I have to ask: what for. With so much crap in the world not going right, I wonder why it's so important to figure this out right now.
I would rather these super-geniuses applied their talents to cheap energy, water cleanliness, eradication and/or treatment of disease, etc. Science is rad, but apply that fudge. The specifics of a subatomic particle just seems like the kinds of thing that can wait until after Utopia.
Still: it's impressive.
We're learning how particles gain mass - amazing! Who knows what the future applications of this discovery is. It may very will be instrumental in solving the very issues you raised.SurfingJeff wrote:I would argue that a deeper understanding of physics is fundamental to getting cheap energy. Scientists don't apply anyways, that's what engineers are for ...mistersmith wrote: I would rather these super-geniuses applied their talents to cheap energy, water cleanliness, eradication and/or treatment of disease, etc. Science is rad, but apply that fudge. The specifics of a subatomic particle just seems like the kinds of thing that can wait until after Utopia.
Still: it's impressive.
That's what's so exciting (and potentially frightening) and why this research is done.