LHC Facts

We expect to see some of the same vitriol expressed at this site as we have seen at LHCConcerns and other places. However, this is a little confusing to me. This section is for the discussion of this raw emotion. I can understand why a number of people opposed to the LHC would feel the need to lash out. And I can understand why someone at CERN would use certain argumentative tactics to try and discredit our efforts. What is confusing is the vitriol that seems to come from everyday scientific enthusiasts.

I count myself in this group. I love science, especially Quantum Mechanics. I am enthralled by the discoveries that have been made, and the quests for new discoveries. What concerns me about this coming experiment at the CERN LHC is that it may be the very first and only experiment at a scale which could destroy all life.

This moves science out of the realm of the Proactionary Principle, and into the realm of the Precautionary Principle. This shift is important because it puts the burden on CERN to show us that the experiment is safe. In my opinion, this is the main crux of our argument. And until it is shown to be safe, or at least at an acceptable level of risk to all people concerned (which is all people), the experiment should be delayed. This means that they should have the informed consent of the people. So far, they do not.

So the vitriol we see from certain people not associated with CERN seems misplaced. If they just want the experiment to go forward because of their own desire to see the results, then they should assist in the process of informing and gaining consent.

Most of the attacks we get use logical fallacies in their arguments. Some just reiterate the fallacious safety arguments which date back to the RHIC and which are some of the very bases for our concern. If you are one of these people, I would ask you to try and empathize with our concerns. In that way you will be better equipped to address our concerns and gain our consent.

If you have a comment about the raw emotions you read on this site or others, please post it here. My greatest hope is to see this discussion shift to a meaningful, productive, and progressive one. I would like nothing more than to feel comfortable and confident that the LHC will not turn into a disaster of biblical proportions. At this point I do not.

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