Critics Fear Collider Could Doom Earth

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The Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world's most powerful particle accelerator, is set to begin operations in August, with the potential to uncover phenomena such as dark matter and extra dimensions. Critics express concerns that the LHC could create a black hole capable of consuming Earth or generate particles that could render the planet uninhabitable. However, scientists from CERN firmly dismiss these fears, asserting that the collider's operations are safe and based on extensive research. The LHC, which cost $5.8 billion to construct, represents a significant advancement in particle physics.

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http://news.aol.com/story/_a/critics-fear-collider-could-doom-earth/20080628165609990001

MEYRIN, Switzerland (June 29) - The most powerful atom-smasher ever built could make some bizarre discoveries, such as invisible matter or extra dimensions in space, after it is switched on in August.

But some critics fear the Large Hadron Collider could exceed physicists' wildest conjectures: Will it spawn a black hole that could swallow Earth? Or spit out particles that could turn the planet into a hot dead clump?

Ridiculous, say scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, known by its French initials CERN - some of whom have been working for a generation on the $5.8 billion collider, or LHC.

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How do you guys feel about the critics concerns? I personally think people are being way too paranoid.
 
Wow, everyone wants to talk about this today! Anyway, there is a discussion on this topic here: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=241442 We don't generally allow two threads open on the same topic, thus I am closing this here.

Also, in future, please do not quote entire articles: this potentially infringes upon copyright law.
 

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