Big Bang Bomb

[Saphrax]

I heard from a family member on wednesday that they were planning on setting off a bomb that would prove or disprove the big bang theory. I was told it was on the news in australia (where I am). Apparently this bomb would destroy earth if it works. I have been unable to find anything about it online. I'm just wondering if anyone has heard anything about this aswell?

[A_B]

Yes, I heard something about it. I thought they'd already done it a couple of months ago though. I don't know what the outcome was (obviously it didn't destroy the earth though ).

[Ck]

So they were willing to risk destroying the earth to prove a point!

That's a proper mad scientist for ya

[Saphrax]

Yah, Hearing about it was a little disconcerting to me. The thought of humanity willing to destroy their own planet to find out if they could re-create the big bang seemed a little paradoxical to me.

[timey]

For starters, it is not a bomb. It is the Large Hadron Collider machine in Switzerland that will simulate "mini big bangs". There is no danger of anything happening - the experiment is on a minuscule scale. Of course people can say that they don't really know what will happene, but I am confident that it will not be a problem.

And, no it hasn't been done yet, it's not due to start until Wednesday. If people are really worried, I think they should do some reading first instead of spreading rumours based upon scant knowledge.

[Earl]

They're going to turn the world into grey goo!

[timey]

No. If it were to go wrong, we would cease to exist instantly. But that won't happen. The amount of energy and matter required to do it would be huge.

[Saphrax]

I wasnt trying to spread rumors or anything bad like that. I apologize if the way i explained my thoughts and feelings on the subject were misrepresented. I was just wondering if anyone had heard anything about it because it was explained to me as a bomb and I was unable to find any information about it. Thats why i was seeing if anyone else on here had heard anything about it so i could get more information on it.

[timey]

OK, no problem. It's just people describing it as a bomb (your family member?) is not accurate or helpful. I suppose the way this has been reported is worrying, but that is typical of the popular press. Why be truthful if it is not as exciting as getting people worried like shit about it?

[timey]

More info.

Large Hadron Collider - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Reading that, it appears that the first serious experiments will occur on 21st October 2008. Well, at least I'll get me holiday first anyway.