Wondering what news coverage the superconductor is getting on that side of the pond - What are you hearing about it being fired up this Wednesday?
[quote: St. Petersburg Times]World

Bold Atomic Testing To Begin in Geneva

By Alexander G. Higgins

The Associated Press

GENEVA — It has been called an Alice in Wonderland investigation into the makeup of the universe — or dangerous tampering with nature that could spell doomsday.

Whatever the case, the most powerful atom-smasher ever built comes online Wednesday, eagerly anticipated by scientists worldwide who have awaited this moment for two decades.

The multibillion-dollar Large Hadron Collider will explore the tiniest particles and come ever closer to re-enacting the big bang, the theory that a colossal explosion created the universe.
....
The first beams of protons will be fired around the 17-mile tunnel to test the controlling strength of the world’s largest superconducting magnets. It will still be about a month before beams traveling in opposite directions are brought together in collisions that some skeptics fear could create micro “black holes” and endanger the planet.

Here's a link to an article about it:
*** Link to St. Petersburg Times article ***

Back in the early 90s the government was building one in Texas, but the work was haulted by Congress. I don't remember hearing why... expense was probably a consideration, billions spent (pushing two decades ago) before it was even 1/2 finished. Some Dallas company bought the land, building and partially completed machine. Haven't heard what they'll be doing with it.

It has not made today's headlines yet, Gims. But the BBC has covered it in the past and provides an "in-depth" report on the matter. Why physicists need to do it is beyond me because, I don't see how it affects mankind at large. I am of the opinion that science ought to focus more on eradicating diseases than pursuing the "big bang".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7543089.stm

I think it's scary.
Did you look at the tunnel pics?
The facility in Texas tunnels look just like those... didn't have all the equipment, tho.
Messing with nature...

Yep. It is frightful. Can you see the benefit of their exercise, Gims? I surely cannot.

NO, esp. if it creates black holes and brings about disaster(s) for planet earth...

The only thing I'd regret if the earth implodes from this adventure is that, there'll be no one left to say: "I told you so".

Just listened to Stephen Hocking discussing this topic.He has a wager on this.And may get a Nobel Prize...so....

I feel like Lola does...so many other things mankind could benefit from.An endles list.



I think science can be wonderful...but the other side of this is that at times things are done because "it can be done"
Art versus Science...
would an artist or painter..poet or musician go into the unknown like this ?

many years ago a project I worked on as a young lab assistant in electronics was called Colidar. It was a measure for targeting.so the name made me recall another issue.
Mountain ash

A link to the fire up, which was embedded in one of Lola's articles....
Audio of TODAY'S (BST time) EVENT