An internal note leaked on the web reveals that a group of researchers at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has detected a signal compatible with the sought-after particle. A spokesman for Cern, which runs the LHC, confirmed the note was authentic. But he told the BBC it had not been held up to proper scientific scrutiny and could turn out to be a false alarm. The Higgs boson is of huge importance to the widely accepted theory of physics, known as the Standard Model. It is the sub-atomic particle which explains why all other particles have mass.Will we ever figure "it" all out? I don't know, but it's all really compelling nonetheless.
However, despite decades trying, no-one, so far, has detected it.
As I've ventured more into politics, I've strayed from my once strong interest in astronomy and how this particular academic discipline can enliven our "spirit" unlike any other. I think we all experience this sense of wonderment peering into the vast unknown - whether that be other people (as in the ubiquitous hobby of "people-watching"), new places to live, discovering the "New World", staring into a dark night, or imagining where we come from and who else is out there. I know I still get chills thinking that every single atom in my body was once in a star. And I still get excited thinking about other intelligent life out there in the ether, waiting to hear from us, waiting to share their story and their knowledge.
Of course, no discussion of the transcendence of science can exist independent of the other primary means of knowledge - religion. Surely religion remains an immensely popular human institution despite the opposing claims offered by science. But I'd wager the popularity of religion does not preclude interest in the majesty of the universe. It's just that the details of such inquiry are completely opaque to those without a scientific bent. So why then do I suppose that everyone can find inspiration like I do?
Think about the popularity of science fiction movies, probably the most widespread film genre. People find this stuff immensely interesting but only if couched in palatable terms. If only the material puts them at the center, expresses how these ideas impact them and relate to who they are. Is this evidence of our species' narcissism? (Side note: I use species here due to the context of the post.) Perhaps, but why shouldn't we succumb to this vice? I look at the Heavens with awe, but ultimately my feet are stuck on the ground.
11 comments:
I have no problem with the belief in a superior being and science living together--because I understand the logic and absolute truth that you cannot get something from nothing. "Big Bangs" cannot happen on their own, just as matter cannot form from nothing. Somewhere, somehow, there must be a catalyst.
"If only the material puts them at the center, expresses how these ideas impact them and relate to who they are."
I wouldn't call it species narcissism. More like: noise filtration. Things which don't affect us, or tell us something about ourselves, don't interest us.
We already have cars and planes and submarines, so why should the mechanics of faster-than-light travel interest me, if it's just another way of getting from point A to point B? (I don't even really know how a car works.) But if you can travel for five years and come back to find that a century has passed, and everyone you know is dead... well, that's interesting.
One,
Great post. I especially like this bit:
"Of course, no discussion of the transcendence of science can exist independent of the other primary means of knowledge - religion. Surely religion remains an immensely popular human institution despite the opposing claims offered by science. But I'd wager the popularity of religion does not preclude interest in the majesty of the universe. It's just that the details of such inquiry are completely opaque to those without a scientific bent. So why then do I suppose that everyone can find inspiration like I do?"
Properly understood, religion and science should live quite comfortably together -- which is why the Roman Catholic Church has always nurtured and celebrated scientists and science (see for example Thomas E. Woods' book). It was a Catholic priest who developed the Big Bang theory!
If you are interested in exploring the interestion of science and religion in more depth, this guy's blog does a great job.
I think God's grace is slowly working in you One -- I'll pray that someday you'll come to know Christ.
I'm a fan of anything seeking to explain what is not understood or known. I've been following this for the last couple of years.
As far as the religious aspect goes… People of faith will almost never be disproven of God's existance. They will adapt their religion to explain God's hand in whatever the new science explains. Because a negative cannot be proven, you cannot disprove the existance of God or a deity, that's the beauty of religion, and why it's based in faith: the belief in something that cannot be proven.
I've never understood why science and religion cannot go hand in hand.
Fake Herzog said....
"which is why the Roman Catholic Church has always nurtured and celebrated scientists"
Can you say "Galileo" ? How about "Reformation"?
NASA's Deep Field photographs made me feel awe myself.
I don't get the religious angle. The thing is science just goes way over most people's heads. So does art and literature and great music for that matter. Sci fi was really a reaction to the bizarre direction things were going in literature. The Sci fi writers just wanted something that more reflected reality. Ironically, their fake worlds were more realistic and engaging than the other literature. Thereafter Sci fi took on a life of its own.
As for big bangs being caused by something. Uh, okay. But that just goes back to what caused the something. And what is the point of that, especially in science where you are limited to the physical world anyway? I don't get it. Dwelling on this stuff just seems vexing unlike science which is fascinating and fun.
This paragraph could use a few corrections:
"As far as the science aspect goes… People of science will almost never be disproven of evolution's existence. They will adapt their theory to explain evolution's hand in whatever the new science explains. Because a negative cannot be proven, you cannot disprove the existence of evolution or a deity, that's the beauty of science, and why it's based in faith: the belief in something that cannot be proven."
There you go! All better.
Relevant:
http://www.phdcomics.com/comics.php?f=1430
I believe that via free-market capitalism (as opposed to cartel fascism) people can eventually be resistant to any disease and forever cure aging. People will live forever unless murdered or some natural outside cause (the propensity for murdering others will also be spliced out of the human race).
In a few thousand years we might even learn how to harness enough energy to prevent a star from becoming a red giant. With aging eliminated scientists can work on designing a spaceship that can travel at near the speed of light where we can subsequently mine and colonize other planets.
If people at the genetic level vastly enhance their intelligence, creativity, and morality of their offspring accelerated change will exponentially grow faster when said individuals become adults. Imagine an average IQ of 300? It would make our current accelerated change look like the stone age, most especially with billions of people in the world.
Dude, you're a nerd. Normal people don't get spiritual feelings from science.
Of course I am as well, but HBD should include differences within races as well as between them. They won't get it any more than the NAMs are going to start trouncing us on the SATs.
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