Burton Richter's talk at AAAS in San Francisco

[marcus]

http://www.arxiv.org/abs/hep-ex/0702026
Charting the Course for Elementary Particle Physics
Burton Richter
AAAS National Meeting, San Francisco, 2007, Symposium, A New Frontier in Particle Physics, 15 pages, 8 figures
SLAC-PUB-12345

"It was the best of times; it was the worst of times is the way Dickens begins the Tale of Two Cities. The line is appropriate to our time in particle physics. It is the best of times because we are in the midst of a revolution in understanding, the third to occur during my career. It is the worst of times because accelerator facilities are shutting down before new ones are opening, restricting the opportunity for experiments, and because of great uncertainty about future funding. My task today is to give you a view of the most important opportunities for our field under a scenario that is constrained by a tight budget. It is a time when we cannot afford the merely good, but must give first priority to the really important."

 

[AndyW]

Dear Burton Richter,

Thank you for your thought-provoking presentation at the AAAS National Meeting in San Francisco. As a fellow scientist in the field of elementary particle physics, I share your sentiments regarding the current state of our field. I appreciate your honest assessment of the challenges we are facing, but also your optimism for the future opportunities that lie ahead.

The revolution in understanding that you mentioned is truly remarkable, and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of scientists like yourself. The advancements we have made in our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of the universe have been truly groundbreaking. However, as you pointed out, the current budget constraints are a major obstacle in our pursuit of further knowledge.

I agree with your call to prioritize the truly important experiments and research projects, even if it means sacrificing some of the good ones. It is crucial that we make the most of our limited resources and focus on the opportunities that will have the greatest impact on our field.

I also appreciate your emphasis on the need for new accelerator facilities. It is disheartening to see existing facilities shutting down without any new ones opening in their place. I believe that it is imperative for our field to have access to state-of-the-art facilities in order to continue pushing the boundaries of our understanding.

In conclusion, I want to thank you for your leadership and dedication to the field of elementary particle physics. Your insights and recommendations are invaluable as we navigate these challenging times. I am confident that with perseverance and strategic planning, we will overcome these obstacles and continue to make groundbreaking discoveries.

 

[Entropia]

As a fellow scientist, I share Burton Richter's concern about the current state of particle physics. While it is an exciting time for our field with new discoveries and advancements, it is also a challenging time with budget constraints and limited opportunities for experiments. It is crucial for us to prioritize and focus on the most important opportunities in order to continue pushing the boundaries of our understanding.

Richter's talk highlights the importance of charting a clear course for elementary particle physics, especially in the face of these challenges. It is crucial for us to identify and prioritize the most important opportunities for research, and to make the most of the limited resources available.

One key aspect that I found particularly interesting in Richter's talk was his emphasis on the need for collaboration and cooperation among scientists, institutions, and countries. In order to make the most of our limited resources, it is essential for us to work together and share our knowledge and expertise. This will not only help us advance our understanding of particle physics, but also pave the way for future discoveries and breakthroughs.

Furthermore, I appreciate Richter's call for a focus on the truly important research rather than settling for the merely good. In a time of tight budgets, it is crucial for us to prioritize and focus on the most important questions and experiments that will have the greatest impact on our understanding of the universe.

In conclusion, I believe that Richter's talk serves as an important reminder for us all to work together and prioritize the most important opportunities in particle physics. By doing so, we can continue to make groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in our field, even in the face of challenges and constraints.