Ok, so quite a few of you probably are not familiar with CERN. The European Organization for Nuclear Research. Now, since 1994 I think they have been developing a rather huge machine. The Large Hadron Collider *LHC* which wants to study how things where in the short aftermath of the big bang theory. In hope of studying the so called 'God particle' that they have been talking alot about.
There has also been talk of the danger behind this project. Now, CERN has had this according to their site reviewed by their own safety committee as well as several individual scientists that all have had about the same response to the safety concerns. That it is safe. However, there is also a fairly formiddable annoumts of critics to this project that has had has taken this to the court, but their demands where rejected. This means that the first parts of this experiment will start the 10th of september this year. They still advocate the dangers of this project potentialy starting a black hole. Although the CERN have said that there is a chance that a black hole might appear, it would dissolve as quickly as it was created. The critics fear that it might get caught up in the gravity of the earth and then stabilize and expand. Some of their points can be read here. http://www.risk-evaluation-forum.org/anon6.htm
As an example the satellite Planck (launch is scheduled for the end of 2008) or the neutrino detector KATRIN in 2009 could bring answers about the possible MOND theory. In addition, the use of particle detectors to study cosmic rays over many years could give data as significant as that from colliders.
This is probably their main point.
However, as things stands now, the first parts of this project will launch on september the 10th.
Now, I am always sceptical to events that may have world threatening effects. There was a time back shortly after the first nukes where launched that theorized that they could probably make the air heat up so much that it would blow up along their entire earth surface. Now, while this was disproven much later. There was always a risk factor running around. Would I have protested against nukes based on that back in the day *If I lived then that is.* when we did not have all the facts. In truth yes, and it may be the same regarding this subject. I am not comfortable with it and I think the main point of the LHC protest bears some credit too it. If we where to study the data gathered from the research we would get from those two projects and then further research upon the safety. I would be more comfortable with it if that was done. I just feel we are toying with powers we don't fully understand and that might have very unwanted side effects. This is purely my opinion on the matter. I would like to hear yours as well.
Again, for the sake of the life of this thread. Be respectful, be very cautious if you clash with another person on this subject as there may be people for and against it. I also recommend reading on both sides of the matter before makeing a statement on what you think regarding CERN's most recent project.
That being said, I want to hear your opinions as well. I am by no means a nuclear physicist so I can't really bear much of a prediction to the matter. That being said, be respectful, objective and have a good time.
