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Doc HM · Mar 20, 2010, 05:01 PM

On Thursday I dragged Mrs DHM and the two children to a talk in Swindon by Professor Brian Cox (BBC media scientist and actual researcher at the LHC). The talk was free, sponsored by the UK science research council to promote public understanding of science and science funding.

Had a great evening. Prof Cox is a superb communicator of complex science ideas as well as brimming with enthusiasm for his subject. He had just come from a meeting in London at which both Jim Lovell and Neil Armstrong were present and could hardly contain himself.

The talk sped through a selection of images form Hubble et al to demonstrate our exploration of the universe, followed by some talk about his work at the LHC exploring the very very small. Apparently the LHC will turn up evidence for the Higgs within 18 months. If it doesn't then it doesn't exist and quantum physics is just wrong. No pressure then.

He also talked about the current state of science funding in the UK (dire) and did some Q and A.

Both mini DHM's were not keen on the whole event prior to going but were both won over by Prof cox and his enthusiasm.

Top evening all round. For the uninitiated watch Professor Cox's excellent BBC series Wonders of the Solar System on BBC on Sundays.

ghporter · Mar 20, 2010, 05:14 PM

You gotta love a scientist that speaks English. That does wonders for science the world over. I'm glad you all had fun.

Doc HM · Mar 20, 2010, 05:24 PM

For non UK members, before being a celebrity quantum physicist (and I am SO glad there can in fact be such a thing) Prof Cox was in the band D:REAM, whose anthem "Things can only get better" was used by the Labour Party in a flawed attempt to look hip and cool prior to loosing the 1997 election to John Major.

Doofy · Mar 20, 2010, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by Doc HM

For non UK members, before being a celebrity quantum physicist (and I am SO glad there can in fact be such a thing) Prof Cox was in the band D:REAM, whose anthem "Things can only get better" was used by the Labour Party in a flawed attempt to look hip and cool prior to loosing the 1997 election to John Major.

I think someone needs a crash course in politics.

Doc HM · Mar 20, 2010, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

I think someone needs a crash course in politics.

oops! Yup they did indeed win that one didn't they. ha! I had conflated that in my mind with the giant election rally that blew up in their faces in the previous election, which was of course Neil Kinnocks demise.

Doofy · Mar 20, 2010, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Doc HM

oops! Yup they did indeed win that one didn't they. ha! I had conflated that in my mind with the giant election rally that blew up in their faces in the previous election, which was of course Neil Kinnocks demise.

I don't remember the previous one at all - was during my "partying every night" phase.

Anyway, back to quantumists. Do they really think that it's all wrong if the LHC doesn't find the Higgs? Isn't that a little bizarre considering the effects of observation on decoherence? I'm not getting it... ...how do they expect to observe it?

Doc HM · Mar 20, 2010, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

I don't remember the previous one at all - was during my "partying every night" phase.

Anyway, back to quantumists. Do they really think that it's all wrong if the LHC doesn't find the Higgs? Isn't that a little bizarre considering the effects of observation on decoherence? I'm not getting it... ...how do they expect to observe it?

Well the Higgs Boson was inserted into the standard model by theorists since without it no observations made any sense when compared with the theory. So if it's not real then something fundamental is up with the standard model.

According to the theory, when the LHC is spun up to a certain voltage (7.5 TeV I think) the Higgs will be observed. If it's not, it's not a case of upping the power until it is. It's either there at that power or not there at all. The LHC is due to be ramped up to 7.5 TeV within 18 months so the Higgs should pop up then.

mattyb · Mar 20, 2010, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

I don't remember the previous one at all - was during my "partying every night" phase.

Anyway, back to quantumists. Do they really think that it's all wrong if the LHC doesn't find the Higgs? Isn't that a little bizarre considering the effects of observation on decoherence? I'm not getting it... ...how do they expect to observe it?

If you were still partying every night then you'd understand.