It’s the end of the world as we know it … and I feel fine. – R.E.M.
There’s a scientific experiment going on in just a few days (Sept. 10) that, depending on whom you believe, has the potential to destroy the earth. I’m probably not explaining this right, but I think what it boils down to is that they’re going to flip on this massive particle accelerator that will in effect mimic the Big Bang, but on a much smaller scale.
What it could do is touch off a black hole or a series of black holes that would then set about consuming all the matter that is earth and either instantly or within about a month (again, depending on whose camp you choose to believe) we’re gone.
A friend hosted a now infamous End of the World party in 1982 when some disaster or another was to befall earth and wipe out mankind. (I didn’t go; I can’t remember why.) There was a similar kind of threat in 1984 and maybe the world really did end. Part of it did for me. Financial aid for college dried up under this administration so I took on a third part-time job. At the time I remember thinking, albeit fleetingly, why am I doing this if we’re all going to die soon anyway?
A few more years later, my part of the world was threatened again when Iben Browning began predicting that the New Madrid Fault was going to level the Mississippi Valley surrounding it. Clearly, that didn’t happen either. So, much like Huck Finn, the details of earth's demise have been greatly exaggerated.
But just in case the world does end Wednesday, it’s been nice knowin’ ya.
And here I thought we had until December 2012 when the Mayan calendar supposedly ends.
A non-professional,faux home improvement blog dedicated to the insane yet diligent do-it-yourselfer,thoroughly peppered with random views and thoughts from me
12 comments:
wow, just thought I'd drop in for an update on the walkway, which came out beautifully, BTW.
But in addition to being wowed by the project, I'm now severely depressed that the world is going to end.
Actually, that would mean I wouldn't have to go to work, right?? Hmm, maybe it's not so bad!
Before I changed fields, I worked at Fermi Lab, who has a big ol' particle accelerator. I guarantee you the world will not end nor be consumed by a teeny tiny black hole that may be created in their experiments (not like you can do anything to me if I'm wrong, but still...). I want to find those crazy law suit people and, depending on my mood, give them a good science education or kick them in the shins.
Thanks to you I'll be humming that REM song to myself all night! Great song! I really hope it's not the end of the world yet. My kids haven't even been to Disneyland!
Iben Browning - I recall the headline in the PA papers about that whole event - "All Shook Up With No Quake To Show"
grafix -- THANKS! I'm pretty pleased with it. Yep. If some theorists are right, there would be no work to go TO.
Jen -- I don't know enough about any of it to say it will or won't end. I prefer to believe, however, that it won't. Unless, of course, I happen to be holding the winning Powerball ticket on Wednesday night. ($102M jackpot)Then, we're all goners. :-)
kspin -- Yeah, I could have planted "The Macarena" in your head ... your kids will still get there. don't worry!
MG -- That's hilarious. If we get stronger versions of what we got a few months ago though, we woudln't be laughin' for long.
I had hoped my house would be done before The End.
But hey, I remember the the End of '82! Somewhere on this planet, there's a picture of me sitting on the green on my college campus, just waiting for it.
OH great! Now i have the MACARENA in my head!!! lol Maybe the world needs to end NOW so I don't hve to listen to it anymore! :)
I've been keeping an eye on the CERN and the other thing (what's it called?) - and it's super fascinating in terms of what we may learn, but kinda scary...in terms of, well, like if we just ended up going *POOF*....
OOOOHHHH, then I'll be able to ask those questions I posted last week a lot sooner than I thought!
Well, we're all still here, or at least I am ... have they switched it on yet?!
Buehler, Buehler, Buehler ...?
Well it's been switched on and the only blackhole that I know of is at the bottom of my purse. Though, I don't think the LHC is responsible for it since I've been losing pens, money, and keys in there since I can remember.
I LOVE that, Mrs. X. Similar to my bank account where This D*mn House is concerned. :-)
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