First particles injected into Large Hadron Collider atom smasher

Telegraph ^ | 8/21/08 | Jad Marrouche

[LibWhacker]

The first particles have been injected into the biggest atom smasher on the planet, marking the start of the countdown to probing the secrets of the universe.

Scientists are pushing ahead with powering up the machine, shrugging off speculative fears that it could destroy all life on Earth by sucking it into a black hole.

Starting up the biggest scientific experiment ever built is not as simple as flipping a switch.

[Still Thinking]

Well, at least then they’d LITERALLY be throwing tax dollars in a black hole!

[TheWasteLand]

Here's Wikipedia: Effects of Falling into a Black Hole.

This seems to be the relevant bit.

As an infalling object approaches the singularity, tidal forces acting on it approach infinity. All components of the object, including atoms and subatomic particles, are torn away from each other before striking the singularity. At the singularity itself, effects are unknown; it is believed that a theory of quantum gravity is needed to accurately describe events near it.

Sounds like fun.

[brytlea]

Wow, great special effects. Now...I think I’ll go say my prayers....
susie

[brytlea]

Oh great, and I’ve been SO good on my diet! Unfair!

[brytlea]

Kinda sounds like I wouldn’t be able to know how much fun I was actually experiencing! Bummer....

susie

[Still Thinking]

Yes, but all those little toothpick girls will weigh trillions of tons! Revenge!

[brytlea]

OK, I’m all about that! Thanks for cheering me up!
susie

[guitarplayer1953]

Thanks I could not remember if it was a mirror or a magnet. Like you said what else have they overlooked. I would have them error on the side of caution rather on the side of ego. Like some have said it is unwise to tread where angels fear to go.

[BBell]

Might be of interest.

[TampaDude]

This is why we have never encountered any spacefaring civilizations. Long before they perfect fast interstellar travel, they invent something like the LHC, fire it up, and promptly obliterate themselves.

We’re DOOMED...DOOMED, I SAY!!! ;-)

[count-your-change]

Let's see: The world's biggest machine moving the smallest particles, which no one can see, to understand matter far off in the universe that no one can see. And to do this it uses enough energy to power a small city.
I think I understand.

[valkyry1]

Only the British could make that! LOL

[valkyry1]

//I like the thin part—would it also make me infinitely rich?
susie//

I am not totally certain, but I do sell ‘black hole credits’ on a sliding scale :^)

[Secret Agent Man]

Any Christian knows this is not going to destroy the planet.

[griffin]

Sounds like marriage...

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks BBell, definitely a good one.

[swatbuznik]

As an infalling object approaches the singularity, tidal forces acting on it approach infinity. All components of the object, including atoms and subatomic particles, are torn away from each other before striking the singularity. At the singularity itself, effects are unknown; it is believed that a theory of quantum gravity is needed to accurately describe events near it.

Is this what happened to agent Spalko in Indy IV?

[MHGinTN]

Has anyone bothered to calculate at what rate a nanoblack hole would consume the Earth? If a blackhole ‘seed’ comes into being at Cern, how long before Cern is gone? Is there any sort of calculation for that scenario? ... Oh really? You mean they haven’t actually calculated all possibilities due to a prejudice for a particualr outcome? Interesting

[TheWasteLand]

I think what happened to agent Spalko in Indy 4 is referred to, colloquially, as a "Lucas". That is to say, tragically killing off something that had potential for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

Also see Boba Fett.

And the Star Wars and Indy franchises.

[SunkenCiv]

The problem has been looked at, and odds have actually been calculated. Better to be concerned about impacts from space. :’)