Higgs Boson

A little surprised that I have not seen any discussion or even mention of this huge development announced by CERN. Are people blasé about this? No real interest in the subject? Do you feel that the public in general doesn't care?

You got it. People are blase about this. There is no real interest in the subject. In general, no one give's a rat's ass.

Do you feel that is genuine apathy or a lack of understanding?

Both.

Thanks for your candor.

I keep trying to find out what it does to benefit mankind, so far I haven't found anything. Except giving people job security.

I'm interested and have been following CERN since it was on the drawing boards. And finding Higgs Boson, or at least the proof that it exists, inches science towards finding the grand unifying theory, the big prize. If science can prove a unifying theory it will unlock the secrets of life it's self, or so they say. It's the big game in science and everything else is peanuts. The math and science is waaaay past me but I am intrigued by it all.

I hope it's not an Old Testament God Particle.

Way too early really to speculate about all the implications but, if verified, it could lead to incredible benefits for mankind.

Ever see Star Trek? "Computer: tea, Earl Grey. Hot." And it materializes for Picard to enjoy.

The Higgs Boson is theorized to be the particle that imbues particles with mass. Fully understood it could lead to the ability to make something from nothing.

I say could, and it is way too early to predict but better understanding of how our universe works is generally a good thing, in my view.

On the other hand if they're cross breeding hogs and bison,that could provide some pretty tasty meat.

I read where one wag blogged that he couldn't see why all the fuss about the Higgs Bosom since he dated Mary Beth Higgs in High School and didn't think her bosom was all that spectacular.

BBC covered it pretty good.... US media was to busy blaming everything on Obama or covering Tom Cruse's divorce and a Kardashien pregnancy.

GBATRUCKS wrote:BBC covered it pretty good.... US media was to busy blaming everything on Obama or covering Tom Cruse's divorce and a Kardashien pregnancy.

Sounds about right.

So now we start the journey into what makes up a Higgs Boson Particle. You
first.

Zed

You mean that, "Beam me up Scotty, this planet sucks!" might become a reality someday?

Axixic wrote:Way too early really to speculate about all the implications but, if verified, it could lead to incredible benefits for mankind.

Ever see Star Trek? "Computer: tea, Earl Grey. Hot." And it materializes for Picard to enjoy.

The Higgs Boson is theorized to be the particle that imbues particles with mass. Fully understood it could lead to the ability to make something from nothing.

I say could, and it is way too early to predict but better understanding of how our universe works is generally a good thing, in my view.

Well then I postulate that the Higgs Bosun is actually here because this message board exists, therefore many create something out of nothing. Present company excepted of course.

My (very rudimentary) understanding is that particles gain mass by interacting with the Higgs field.

The Higgs Field was already established in physics but there are several theories as to its operation that don't include the Higgs Boson so CERN was seeking evidence to establish that the theory involving the Higgs Boson was the correct one.

Higgs Bosons would be massive particles but would decay almost immediately when created. What CERN observed were elementary scalar particles (particles with zero spin) which indicate the operation of Higgs Bosons and not one of the alternate (Higgless) theories.

Like all science it needs to be repeated and reproduced to be verified.

E-raq wrote:Well then I postulate that the Higgs Bosun is actually here because this message board exists, therefore many create something out of nothing. Present company excepted of course.

Call CERN - you could have saved them a lot of time and trouble!

ferret wrote:My ass must be a Higgs Field because the particles are definitely gaining mass.

EWWWwww - ass particles. Wrong mental image.

Axixic wrote:

ferret wrote:My ass must be a Higgs Field because the particles are definitely gaining mass.

EWWWwww - ass particles. Wrong mental image.

She was referring to her ass at the cellular level. Not at the detritus level. Just sayin'.......

ferret wrote:S'okay Raq. I'm used to having to explain everything to guys. Thanks anyway.

No problem, we girls have to stick together. I think we're outnumbered.

Whatever - it still created the mental image it created.