So, just how excited are you about the discovery of the Higgs Boson?

[RATTER15]

Im really trying but........

[ChuckFickens]

"Now what do they do with that massive tunnel under Switzerland"

Work on the discovery?

We wouldn't have got very far if the first person to discover electricity had said "right we know it exists now, that's it for electricity, we'll stick that one on the shelf now"

[naomi24]

Boxy, Listening to a scientist yesterday who has been working on this, it seems there is great excitement at the potential discoveries that this confirmation could lead to - currently unknown physics being one of them - so work will continue and the 'tunnel' will not be redundant. I find the prospect quite fascinating.

[boxtops]

Yes I know, the tongue was firmly in cheek when I asked the question - this is obviously just the start of exciting times for the scientists in the tunnel. :-)

[wildwood]

It doesn't personally excite me as this is not within my field of interest, but I can understand how it gives the scientific community a buzz. It is a biggie.

[cathfromsaron]

me neither ..

[RATTER15]

I Am interested in this Higgs Boson, I just wish I could understand it at a higher lever.

Oh well, im not sure it will change the world as we know it.

[EDDIE51]

This link which was posted a day or so ago explains what the Higgs is better than anything else I have seen
http://www.physics.up...epex/higgs_boson.html

[Johnysid]

I am pleased about it. The discovery points us in the general direction of how to discover the nature of "dark matter" (the majority of the matter in the universe). It also helps theorists to reduce the number of possible theories connecting quantum physics and gravity - which is the big discovery we are awaiting.

[vascop]

"I might be interested if I could understand it. Science was not my best subject!! Excited, no. It won't change my life." LoftyLottie
Don't be too sure about that.
Many discoveries at the time they were made seemed to have no practical use.
Much of the technology most of us rely on today would not have been invented and would not work without the understanding of the universe that stems from relativity and quantum mechanics.

[Goonermatt]

"we cannot explain why the Z and W particles which carry the weak interactions are so heavy while the photon which carries electromagnetic forces is massless."

Oh yes. Much clearer.

[woofgang]

That bloke was on the radio yesterday explaining the the Higgs particle has measurable vector but not mass....he explained it like Mrs Thatcher at a party.....brilliant!

[MoonRocker]

if it wasn't for atom smashing we would not have a lot of things that are taken for granted today. No doubt at the time of the early atom splitters there where the "what use it it" brigade spouting their usual uninformed bilge. Ever watch a CRT? yes? then you have benefited from particle physics. Fortunately physics does not discriminate against ignorance.

[jake-the-peg]

Science is a subculture much the way that soap operas or sport is.

Is Andy Murry in the semi or quarter finals or the Chrismas episode of East Enders ( can't remember who was marrying or mudering who this year) going to change the world?

No

Do people get excited?

Yes

I certainly get more excited about something like this than England winning the World cup because it's a subculture I take an interest in.

I'd like to think it's more valuable because it contributes to the sum of human knowledge and has been a titanic technical achievement.

But I understand if people can relate more to a couple of dozen overpaid male models kicking a bit of leather about

[VHG]

>>>Many discoveries at the time they were made seemed to have no practical use.

I believe the laser beam was invented / discovered, but nobody knew what to "do" with it.

Now we have laser beams playing our CDs and DVDs, we have laser beams scanning our shopping when the pay for it, laser beams doing operations and so on.

[mccfluff]

i'm so excited and i just can't hide it

so seriously i am, even if i keep keeping reading it as the discovery of higgs bottom

i found myself leaping for joy this morning, i crossed the canal in one joyful bound and pranced down the road

[MoonRocker]

I think, famously, after the discovery of electricy, Faraday was asked by Gladstone, what use is it? He said "I don't know yet, but one day sir you will tax it!".

[MoonRocker]

I'm so excited I'm thinking about getting an upmarket tatoo done to comemorate the discovery.

[LazyGun]

Quite excited, inasmuch as, if correct, it adds to the weight of the standard model.

CERN is such a major project, grand in concept and design, so it is good to see experiments at the very borders of our understanding paying dividends.

The only downside is that it doesnt look like finding it is going to speed up the delivery of my anti-gravity jet boots, which is a shame :)

[Bazile]

So , should he be given the nobel prize for science ?

[DTCwordfan]

there are six of them who have issued key papers and the max for the NP is three joint awardees in any one year.........