Is the CERN particle accelerator risking a phase change in the Universe?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around concerns regarding the potential risks associated with the CERN particle accelerator, particularly the fear that it could induce a phase change in the Universe when it is activated. The conversation touches on the implications of recreating conditions similar to those just after the Big Bang and the associated risks, albeit with low probability.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions a claim from a scientist that activating the CERN particle accelerator could lead to a phase change in the Universe, potentially causing catastrophic events.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism, noting that similar experiments have been conducted previously without incident.
  • A third participant humorously reflects on the aesthetic changes in the night sky since recent experiments, suggesting a whimsical connection to the discussion.
  • Some participants question the validity of the concerns raised, suggesting that alarmist views may be misplaced and that political issues are more pressing than those related to particle physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus among participants. Some express concern about the risks of the particle accelerator, while others dismiss these fears as unfounded, indicating a divide in perspectives on the issue.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes speculative claims about the potential consequences of high-energy experiments and reflects a range of emotional responses, from curiosity to humor, without resolving the underlying uncertainties.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the implications of high-energy physics experiments, the public perception of scientific risks, and the interplay between scientific inquiry and societal concerns may find this discussion relevant.

ptalar
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Phase Change of the Universe??

I was listening to Coast to Coast radio this morning on the way to work and they had some scientist on who was saying that the when the CERN particle accelerator is turned on in November 2007 one of its main goals is to find the Higgs Boson particle.

However, he went on to say that some scientists fear that when we do this we may cause a phase change in the Universe since we are trying to approximate the conditions an instant after the big bang. Apparently, at the energy levels the accelerator will see, it may cause a chain reaction type event. Although a low probability he said it is still a risk because we are going into uncharted waters.

The scientist went on to say that we would not even know it happened because we would die instantly as the Universe instantly changed.

This is the first time I heard of this concern. Any thoughts?
 
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WTF?

These sort of experiments have been going on for a while now. Nothing crazy has happened thus far.
 
Arithus said:
WTF?

These sort of experiments have been going on for a while now. Nothing crazy has happened thus far.


Ok. I was just curious and this was the first time I had heard that any experiments we are doing had those kinds of risks.

Thanks,

Phil
 
Arithus said:
WTF?

These sort of experiments have been going on for a while now. Nothing crazy has happened thus far.

Well I don't know about you, but I really miss the comfort of the purple shine of the star field against the greenness of deep space.

Ever since that experiment last year, all we get is this ugly white stars against a ... what would you call that? ... black? ... background.
 
And where oh where has our beloved flying spaghetti monster gone?
 
selfAdjoint said:
And where oh where has our beloved flying spaghetti monster gone?


Yes Yes Yes. And I believe in Santa Claus.

I was just asking a dumb question. You would be surprised how many problems get solved by asking dumb questions.

I was interested in what the experts thought and now I know.
 
No, we're not in danger. Alarmists are much better off looking to our politicians than our particle accelerators. Let's not take this any further.
 

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