# Are we worried about the Large Hadron Collider being turned on?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441
**Category:** Great Debates
**Created:** [September 7, 2008, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441 "2008-09-07T02:45:14Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/1 "2008-09-07T02:45:14Z")
This [BBC article](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7468966.stm) indicates that there is “no conceivable danger” from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), including the danger from any possible mini-black holes that might be formed. But, Dr. Adrian Kent expresses concern that:
> [@](#):
>
> a fundamental question (how improbable does a cataclysm have to be to warrant proceeding with an experiment?) had never been seriously inspected.
So? Are we worried at all about the LHC going to full start-up? Is the earth going to be destroyed by mini black holes or strangelets after it goes online? They are, after all, going to cross the streams.
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### Author:  [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/2 "2008-09-07T02:53:48Z")
> [@featherlou](#):
>
> This [BBC article](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7468966.stm) indicates that there is “no conceivable danger” from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), including the danger from any possible mini-black holes that might be formed. But, Dr. Adrian Kent expresses concern that:
> So? Are we worried at all about the LHC going to full start-up? Is the earth going to be destroyed by mini black holes or strangelets after it goes online? They are, after all, going to cross the streams.
Not worried in the least. Because in the incredably miniscule chance that it would happen, it would be so cool.
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/3 "2008-09-07T02:56:17Z")
I cannot conceive of any possible way I could stop it from happening. If nothing happens, I go on-if a black hole is created, I don’t. I could spend time worrying about it, but then I would have to spend some time worrying about get hit by a drunk driver, which is much more likely.
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### Author:  [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/4 "2008-09-07T03:09:21Z")
Well, this would certainly be a solution to [Fermi’s Paradox.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermi_paradox)
Q: Where are all the advanced, extraterrestrial civilizations?
A: They all build Hadron Colliders just shortly before they’re able to colonize the galaxy.
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### Author:  [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/5 "2008-09-07T03:29:01Z")
“Are we worried about the Large Hadron Collider being turned on?”
There’s no point to worrying.
What does worrying produce? Ideally, solutions.
Is there a pragmatic solution to a black hole? Not like you can make a white hole to cancel it out.
There’s no point to worrying. You might as well worry about invisible pink unicorns goring you to death. How in the world would you save yourself?
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### Author:  [@Sofis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofis)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/6 "2008-09-07T03:37:19Z")
From how I understand things, even if a black hole is created, it would lose mass far faster than it would be able to draw in matter from around it, and so wouldn’t last to do anything much.
On a perhaps less scientifically grounded note, I just don’t believe reality is that fragile. I think it is _very_ difficult to destroy a planet.
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### Author:  [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/7 "2008-09-07T03:53:13Z")
> [@iampunha](#):
>
> Is there a pragmatic solution to a black hole? Not like you can make a white hole to cancel it out.
Quick! Moar anti-matter!
Anyway, I figure if I’m afraid of the LHC I might as well be afraid of getting out of bed in the morning, there are many ways I could kill myself just (majorly) slipping up my morning routine, choking on food, hitting my head on my night stand too hard/in the wrong place, slipping in the shower and breaking my neck. All of these seem to be (from what I have read) way more statistically plausible than the LHC doing anything bad, and I’m still alive and I’ve woken up every day so far without offing myself so I say bring it on!
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### Author:  [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/8 "2008-09-07T03:57:55Z")
Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere. ~Glenn Turner
For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe. ~Author Unknown
Real difficulties can be overcome, it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. ~Theodore N. Vail
“If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry.” ~ Dalai Lama
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### Author:  [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/9 "2008-09-07T03:59:48Z")
No.
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### Author:  [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/10 "2008-09-07T04:04:35Z")
\*\*
For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe. ~Author Unknown\*\*
Well, you just made my sunday !🙂
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### Author:  [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/11 "2008-09-07T04:04:44Z")
Nope, it’s not predicted in the Book of Revelation, so it can’t be that big a deal.
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### Author:  [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/12 "2008-09-07T04:08:36Z")
Unless of course it creates a black hole that propels us into an Apocalyptic alternate-reality in which a.) all Christians are gone & the AntiChrist is given free reign on the earth, thus being the agency through which God accomplishes the Rapture, or b.) the AntiChrist is given free reign on the earth, even with the Christians here. Of course, if the amillenial view is correct that Christ bound Satan in the first century, perhaps the opening of a black hole by the LHC will be what allows him re-entry to our dimension…
NOW I’m scared!!!
😃
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### Author:  [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/13 "2008-09-07T04:11:32Z")
> [@FriarTed](#):
>
> Unless of course it creates a black hole that propels us into an Apocalyptic alternate-reality in which a.) all Christians are gone & the AntiChrist is given free reign on the earth, thus being the agency through which God accomplishes the Rapture, or b.) the AntiChrist is given free reign on the earth, even with the Christians here. Of course, if the amillenial view is correct that Christ bound Satan in the first century, perhaps the opening of a black hole by the LHC will be what allows him re-entry to our dimension…
>
> NOW I’m scared!!!
> 😃
I endorse this idea, how much you want for the royalties after the book’s published?
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### Author:  [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/14 "2008-09-07T04:14:39Z")
> [@Jragon](#):
>
> I endorse this idea, how much you want for the royalties after the book’s published?
If you could write it up into a sellable book, I’ll take a third and let you have the two thirds.
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### Author:  [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/15 "2008-09-07T04:33:06Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Are we worried about the Large Hadron Collider being turned on?
I am more concerned about waking up tomorrow morning to find my face a bony mask as a result of my toenails acquiring sentience during the night, prying themselves loose, scampering gaily up to my head, and carving all the flesh away from the front of my skull.
So no.
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### Author:  [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/16 "2008-09-07T04:34:12Z")
> [@Cervaise](#):
>
> I am more concerned about waking up tomorrow morning to find my face a bony mask as a result of my toenails acquiring sentience during the night, prying themselves loose, scampering gaily up to my head, and carving all the flesh away from the front of my skull.
>
> So no.
I’m more worried about undergoing quantum tunneling into the mole people’s salt mines. _Shudder_
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### Author:  [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/17 "2008-09-07T04:35:39Z")
Does anyone read that as
Large Hardon Collector
or is it just me?
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### Author:  [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/18 "2008-09-07T04:38:53Z")
> [@Zebra](#):
>
> Does anyone read that as
>
> Large Hardon Collector
>
> or is it just me?
Lots of people do, every time we have this threads SOMEONE has to say “is that a hadron in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?” Or something similar… 🙂
Also [Cracked.com - America's Only Humor Site | Cracked.com](http://www.cracked.com/article_16592_10-important-news-stories-as-depicted-by-5-year-olds.html)
(Last one in the list)
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### Author:  [@rolandgunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rolandgunslinger)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/19 "2008-09-07T06:16:18Z")
> [@Zebra](#):
>
> Does anyone read that as
>
> Large Hardon Collector
>
> or is it just me?
Yes I did. And I don’t want THAT getting turned on at all!
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### Author:  [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2008, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441/20 "2008-09-07T07:10:33Z")
The fact that people are able to joke about something like this truly boggles my mind. Yet in any thread about it, at least half of all the posts seem to be jokes. Maybe this is some extreme form of gallows humor, I don’t know.
Yeah, maybe you’re more likely to die from being hit by a car or choking on food. Does that mean that you should DELIBERATELY go walk into the middle of traffic, or shove a huge piece of food down your throat and choke yourself?
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