07 April, 2010

Scientists , more useful than any ex-Lord Provost.

The following is an email sent to the former provost of Aberdeen, Jim Reynolds. As seems to custom these days people take stabs at CERN and the LHC without taking time to fully understand what it is and the incredible discoveries that await.


Mr Reynolds,

I couldn't help but read with a lot of dismay your ill-informed, anti-science rhetoric in your "Second Big Bang is A Waste of Cash" today's (5th April 2010) Evening express. You seem to dismiss one of greatest engineering and scientific achievements in human history, namely the LHC built by CERN. Lets look at your article step by step.

"I thought the world was going through recession and money was tight, yet scientists have spent over £6 Billion on a machine to re-create the Big Bang"

Well a number of problems here, if you had done some research first you would have found out that that the building of the LHC was approved back in 1995, and the first passing of the particles through the LHC began in September 2008. Also over 40 countries were involved in the construction with each country contributing to the cost. This is hardly a new thing that scientists cooked up over night.

"What an absolute waste of money who cares what happened 13 billion years ago"

Is there a cut-of date for how far into the past scientists can research?. Also the LHC is about more than the Big Bang it is an attempt to understand the fundamentals of space, time, mass energy. If Einstein was with us right now he would be excited beyond words, but hey you an Ex-Provost would tell us what do these damned scientists know about anything?. We stand on the brink of discovering what makes up mass, how quantum mechanics and general relativity interact, are there extra dimensions to space? and many other profound discoveries await us but you think this is a waste of time and money?. Please I would like to see you tell that to the hundreds of brilliant minds that brought this into reality. Would you have scoffed at Copernicus when he discovered helio centrism? would you tell him who cares if our planet orbits the sun?

"Who gives a hoot if our great, great granny was an ape?"

Now you are showing how truly ignorant you are of science, and that you are in no position to be so scathing. Firstly the LHC has nothing to do with you poorly worded attack on evolution. The LHC deals with physics and Evolution is Biology, a basic secondary eduction would tell you this. Also we humans are apes, not separate from ape we share a common ancestor with modern day apes extensive research but those pesky scientists you seem to have so little time for confirms this. Also if you don't give a hoot about evolutionary biology then I'm sure you wouldn't object to never having another vaccination. Vaccinations only came about through our understanding that viruses evolve over time and change, but then again who gives a hoot?.

"Their latest test which was carried out last week was obviously timed to coincide with Easter"

This is worrying as you have now gone from anti science into plain conspiracy mode. The latest test were performed because the LHC has to shut down in the winter to save the costs of running it. And are you suggesting they should avoid doing tests just because of Easter would you advise them not to test in case in clashed with Ramadan ?

"Could it be they merely wanted to Disprove the existence of God?"

How this is linked to the work at the LHC I have no idea , a great many scientists believe in god and science does not make any comment on the supernatural pro or con. Science draws conclusions based on the evidence it discovers and has an excellent track record of discovery and expanding human knowledge.

But then again discovery, knowledge and understanding reality who really gives a hoot ?

Answer - Humanity.

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