I think its 8am tomorrow morning, but someone may correct me on that.   I find it all very worrying and i think man has caused enough harm to the planet already without now possibly destroying it once and for all.
This is the latest that I have just read.

Scientists are about to recreate the conditions that existed a tiny fraction of a second after the universe was created.

The post-Big Bang experiment is being carried out on the French/Swiss border using a machine which cost almost £5 billion to build.

The Large Hadron Collider will accelerate matter to almost light speed and then smash tiny particles together.

Scientists at the European Centre for Nuclear Research (Cern) are pressing ahead with the experiment despite warnings that it could destroy the universe.

Cosmologists think an explosion of an object the size of a small coin occurred about 13.7 billion years ago and led to the formation of all matter.

A key aim of the experiment is to find the Higgs boson, the so-called 'God particle' that some theorists believe give matter its mass.

But the experiment, which will take place deep underground inside a 17-mile tunnel, could shed light on other mysteries like the existence of supersymmetry, dark matter and dark energy.

Some critics claim it will create 'black holes' of intense gravity that could implode the Earth, or that it will open the way for beings from another universe to invade through a 'worm hole' in space-time.

Is it just me? but i am just not interested .

My 8 year old son came home yesterday very worried because he thinks that the world is going to end - we spent all last night and this morning trying to make him feel better . I know that he is going to worry all day .
As my daughter would say , ' I'm not bovvered ' !!!

Whyyyyyyyy?????? Why do we need to know and experiment with things like this.

Like many I am just brushing it off as nothing to worry about, (I hope) but a lot of children are worried, my nephew apparently didn't sleep last night as he thinks the world is going to end no amount of explanations and consoling can help, other children have scared him to death, he really thinks there will be a black hole created and the earth is in danger, he is only 10 bless him, but his fear has made me worry a little too when I just thought yeah, so what before, as I thought anything potentially dangerous would not be allowed to be tested like this, but now........................

For me if there is any risk whatsoever why is the test being done, I'm trusting that the powers that be know what they are doing or it will be stopped.  Gosh, I hope I am right.

I work in a school and all i have heard from the kids is about the world ending.
Think it's a load of rubbish. Heard on the news people are talking about maxing out their credit cards - why?!!! If the world ends they wont beenfit from their purchases and if it doesnt end they are just left with a mssive bill.
Talk about people going crazy over nothing!!!!

> Whyyyyyyyy?????? Why do we need to know and experiment with things like this.

Because that is how we get to learn things!!  :)

>
>

I watched live at work, and listened to Radio 4, thought and still think the whole thing is fascinating :-)

I really seriously wonder what planet im living on at the mo lol or where my head is at,(in the shed with no key to get out I think), but seriously am I the only one who knows nothing about whatever it is that everyone on this thread is talking about.
I have no clue ,not seen or heard anything about this on tele,radio nothing......
when is it supposed to happen ? and what exactly should I be worried about if anything?

Cant believe Ive missed it all

Philly...........you are not alone!!  :)  The first I heard of it was on the News this morning!!  :)

I don't understand it, I think it's fascinating!

> Philly...........you are not alone!!  :-)  The first I heard of it was on the News this morning!!  :-)

I feel slightly better that im not cracking up now then lol
I must go watch the news at some point today then me thinks lol

Don't worry philly256.. I only read about this early this morning after it has been brought to my attention by a colleague... we were just happy it wasn't another financial issue on the front page of the paper! Don't know enough about the situation to comment, but if I was a little kid I would probably be terrified!

Only thing I want to know is when is the world supposed to go bang then.......
If we are going to blow up I want to look my best for it lol ;)

If we are going to blow up then I am getting out of this awful office and home to my dog! At least then we can get blown up together :-)

I don't understand it, I think it's fascinating!> (jg I agree)
awful office and home to my dog ( u too stormy)

It gave the religious freaks some thing else to worry about LOL ( no offence I believe, just not in forcing it on others, especially on the door step).

If we didn't experiment we'd still be sitting in caves freezing our wotsits off with out fire :)

Although saying that there are some experiments in human genetics that went spectacularly wrong walking around with hoodies on, so on reflection, perhaps we should ban all experiments human, scientific or other wise.

All I can say is 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do'.

yep me too... just need to win the lottery :-P
Found the doorstep comment funny... I used to have a boxer who would bark the house down if anyone came around selling religion... they would only come once. Now I have a Weim, so I DARE them to come a knocking!

>'Father forgive them for they know not what they do'.

But hopefully soon they will ... ;)

(No disrespect intended!)

>If we didn't experiment we'd still be sitting in caves freezing our wotsits off with out fire

No, we'd still be up in the trees, laughing at those who said we should never have crawled out of the oceans. ;)

Well apparently the experiment has been done and im still here!!!
All a load of codswallop :-)

> All a load of codswallop

lol :-D the blowing us all up part - for sure!!!
There are black holes and worm holes happening all the time all over the universe, this man-made one wasn't going to do any damage :-)
But the information it WILL give the physicists could very well be invaluable...

oh has it...well looks like I missed that too lol
And as I still here I guess it was nothing to worry over,not that I was worried cos I didnt know lol
If any of that made sense.....I think I need a cup of tea and a lie down :) ;)

> I think I need a cup of tea and a lie down

Now THAT sounds like an idea! :-D

> I don't understand it, I think it's fascinating!

Me neither and me too!  Steven Hawking says it won't bring us to a sticky end and I'm guessing he does understand it :-)

> Steven Hawking says

Wouldn't you just love to have 10 mins to ask him some questions and see what "he says"!??

I bet the scientists  discuss it over a cup of tea too ,dunking a hob nob..... or a galaxy !!!!

Oh yea of little faith ;-)

I find the whole concept fascinating :-)

>And as I still here I guess it was nothing to worry over,not that I was worried cos I didnt know lol
>If any of that made sense.....I think I need a cup of tea and a lie down  

I hate to dissolusion you but nothing was ever going to happen today.  Today was the first full tests, all they did was sent a couple of proton beams around the collider.  The black holes may appear when they smash two beams into each other which will probably happen sometime between now and Christmas.

All I can say is 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do'.

I'm with you lois,

I'm very interested in science enjoy it immensly, but if I see no purpose for it, apart from just to see what happens then I don't believe we should be doing it, looking for cures etc, exploring the stars is valid science, (Hi ET) but seeing what two protons hitting each other will create and not having a clue what will happen is crazy to me, this is our planet, it may be in an underground containment but this is our earth and the truth is they don't know what will happen hence all the speculation. The earth could be ripped apart. Man has always been man's worst enemy.

Not a happy bunny, I think we go too far with things, my vote is not with this experiment, what purpose can it serve our planet?

**Off to build a big black hole replenant bunker** :-(  DR WHO.......... HELP!

> what purpose can it serve our planet?

What if it leads to a power source that meets the entire worlds developing needs with no impact on the environment?  I don't know mind if there is that potential but I think it is in that area isn't it? I shall have to have a word with Stephen next time we are sharing a hobnob :-)

> I hate to dissolusion you but nothing was ever going to happen today.&nbsp; Today was the first full tests, all they did was sent a couple of proton beams around the collider.&nbsp; The black holes may appear when they smash two beams into each other which will probably happen sometime between now and Christmas. <IMG class=qButton title="Quote selected text" height=10 alt="Quote selected text" src="/images/mi_quote.gif" width=20>

Oh no lol so I guess whatever there is to worry about,(which I still dont know,)I will still have to worry about it till Christmas lol
Oh dear now I am confused lol....

I might bunk off work until Xmas just in case... ;-)

> or a galaxy !!!!

lol...

> I'm very interested in science enjoy it immensly, but if I see no purpose for it, apart from just to see what happens then I don't believe we should be doing it

x-rays were not planned, they came across them by accident. als human genetics studies were developed without a specific objective but thanks to them we've made massive medical advances. we've no idea what this could end up creating to better us.

however the concept does make me slightly nervous. though as i understand it if it does end the world we are not talking the four horsemen and the celetial battle type job, rather 'pop'- where'd the universe go? you'll know nothing about it :)

This experiment is way beyond my levels of understanding.  It is fascinating that scientists have even got to the point of trying to replicate the big bang.  What they are doing though just brings me back to the same question which is, If the big bang and the creation of the universe is the result of protons colliding and creating matter, this suggests to me that the protons must have existed in the first place.  If the protons existed in the first place what did they exist in if not the universe?  There must have been something before the universe?  A bit like the question one of my children asked me when they were young - if God created everything, who created God?  Same concept?

> This experiment is way beyond my levels of understanding.&nbsp; It is fascinating that scientists have even got to the point of trying to replicate the big bang.&nbsp; What they are doing though just brings me back to the same question which is, If the big bang and the creation of the universe is the result of protons colliding and creating matter, this suggests to me that the protons must have existed in the first place.&nbsp; If the protons existed in the first place what did they exist in if not the universe?&nbsp; There must have been something before the universe?&nbsp; A bit like the question one of my children asked me when they were young - if God created everything, who created God?&nbsp; Same concept

quite agree- personally that argument is how i combine my scientific mind with my deitic belief- i figure someone had to kick it all off didn;t they? how is "there was nothing and it exploded" any more sensible than a believe in intangible, spiritual forces?

> that argument is how i combine my scientific mind with my deitic belief

Same here or put another way
I believe because it makes me feel safer,happier,gives me some one to thank or blame, I reason because I have the ability.

> 'pop'- where'd the universe go? you'll know nothing about it

Suits me fine LOL
The four horse men and armaggedon bit has always terrified me hence the believing.

> The four horse men and armaggedon bit has always terrified me hence the believing

lol, thankfully none of that miserableness and drama for me :)

> personally that argument is how i combine my scientific mind with my deitic belief

Well...... there's a whole new debate and one I'm sure we could really get our teeth into :-)

As for scientific research.... many projects don't immediately make obvious their benefits to Joe Public but rather filter down to us when concepts are established.
The 'don't meddle with nature' attitude would have thwarted all advancement and, as someone has already said, we would still be on foot, living in caves and most certainly not using computers or any Electromagnetic wave technologies....
Just a few hundred years ago people were terrified that they would fall off the edge of the world......... there needs to be discoverers.

:-D :-D I shall have to have a word with Stephen next time we are sharing a hobnob 

Can you tell him, I was happy in my cave with my fresh fruit and veg and having the odd spear hunt for meat. Now it's all ozone, polution, and credit crunch. :-)

Actually forget Dr Who, Calling Captain Jack!!!!!! (At least he's only in Wales.)

All they are doing is switching it on :) In 12-18 months time will be the BIG experiment :)

> Is it just me? but i am just not interested .
>
>

I know i am the same, perhaps i should be worried :)

I got all excited when they were talking about black holes - at last somewhere to put the rubbish they have been sending to India!  then I heard today that any black holes will be miniscule :(  probably not even big enough for a couple of crisp packets :( :(  what a big waste of money!

This experiment is way beyond my levels of understanding.  It is fascinating that scientists have even got to the point of trying to replicate the big bang.  What they are doing though just brings me back to the same question which is, If the big bang and the creation of the universe is the result of protons colliding and creating matter, this suggests to me that the protons must have existed in the first place.  If the protons existed in the first place what did they exist in if not the universe?  There must have been something before the universe?  A bit like the question one of my children asked me when they were young - if God created everything, who created God?  Same concept?

Quick science lesson follows :)

They are not trying to replicate the big bang, they are trying to replicate some of the conditions that occurred soon after the big bang.  They are looking to prove or disprove a number of theories which try and explain our universe.  For example there is a problem with gravity in that according to the current theories it should be a lot stronger than it is.  There is also the Higgs boson the existance of which is vital the the standard model (ie current theory) as it should give the other particles in the standard model mass.  The only problem is that the Higgs boson has never been seen so currently it's entirely theoretical, if it exists it will explain a lot of things, if it doesn't it will mean full employment for a lot of physicists for the foreseeable future trying to figure out an alternative.

They are also trying to find evidence that string theory is correct, here it gets very strange with extra dimensions etc, but string theory does explain lots of things in a relatively simple theory

As to what was there before the big bang, there was nothing, and nothing for the nothing to exist in :)

> here it gets very strange with extra dimensions etc, but string theory does explain lots of things in a relatively simple theory

Can I ask, (as this is the clearest explanation I have read, so you may be able to answer me). Is this the theory some use to say there is a posibility of time travel/ parallel time  etc??

Please don't laugh at my ignorance LOL

Actually it's not String theory that potentially allows time travel, it's Einstein's theory of general relativity this potentially allows for the creation of space / time worm holes which would allow time travel, so according to our understanding of physics it is theorectically possible however whether it's practically possible is another matter entirely. 

For the parrallel universes bit :

According to one interpretation of quantum physics (there are several interpretations, and nobody knows which one, if any, is "right"), every time a quantum object, such as an electron, is faced with a choice, the world divides to allow it to take every possibility on offer. In the simplest example, the electron may be faced with a wall containing two holes, so that it must go through one hole or the other. The Universe splits so that in one version of reality it goes through the hole on the left, while in the other it goes through the hole on the right. Pushed to its limits, this interpretation says that the Universe is split into infinitely many copies of itself, variations on a basic theme, in which all possible outcomes of all possible "experiments" must happen somewhere in the "multiverse".

This then ties up with the time travel bit to provide a way out of paradoxes (eg when you travel back in time and accidentaly prevent your parents meeting), you can never change your future because by meddling you create another universe and don't change the original one.

> What if it leads to a power source that meets the entire worlds developing needs with no impact on the environment?&nbsp; I don't know mind if there is that potential but I think it is in that area isn't it?

That is exactly what I said to my OH last night!! We were discussing the experiment & it turned into an argument!!!! My OH said that money would be better spent on helping people in the third world, I said that we don't know the potential of the findings of this expeiment, I'm sure the scientists invloved do, from what I can gather they are looking for all the gaps that science has now re: gravity, dark matter, and Einsteins equation of mass & energy to name a few. If they can unravel the equation of mas:energy and find the 'god element' they hope to, then really the possibilities for creating clean fuel &  more water could be just the tip of the iceberg. Let alone the potential for medical science - my mad-scientist idea is what if they can harness energy & mass - control it, change mass to energy & vice-verca that could mean they could teleport things and even transplant organs into people without cutting them open... Maybee I'm just getting carried away, but who knows???

> As to what was there before the big bang, there was nothing, and nothing for the nothing to exist in :-)

That is such a mind boggler isn't it!!!!

I wish I had as much understanding about all this as you do, it's all so fascinating and potentially very exciting :)

Shadbolts.

You explain that so clearly. Thanks, Fascinating

Nope, still don't get it. Thanks for the answer but I still can't get my head around the nothing bit.  I'm happy to take for granted the assumptions that scientists are working on to prove the theory and knowing that there is much in science that I don't really understand.  However, if there was absolute nothing then there would have been no conditions for the big bang to come about.  If you can get me to understand that bit I will be forever grateful because it's always baffled me.

> I got all excited when they were talking about black holes - at last somewhere to put the rubbish they have been sending to India!&nbsp; then I heard today that any black holes will be miniscule :-(&nbsp; probably not even big enough for a couple of crisp packets :-( :-(&nbsp; what a big waste of money!

lol, you know i had this thought to, what a great way to dispose of waste! maybe they will figure out how to make a bigger (safe) one :)