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Why Were So Many "Crazy" Higgs Boson Stories Published?
The presumed discovery of the Higgs boson may be one of the most important scientific discoveries ever, but it did bring out quite a bit of "strange" science reporting. In addition to blogs, many mainstream news sites jumped on the crazy headline bandwagon. The ability to soon travel at the speed of light, the building of a Star Trek style transporter, and many stories of the particle proving God doesn't exist have made the rounds in the past week. Is the particle's discovery just on the fringe of common scientific knowledge and therefore prone to wild speculation, or does this all come down to having the most sensational headline?
Let me steal this first post to invite fellow slashdotters to a Higgs Boson Scientists Launch Party next weekend in San Francisco. We have friendly people, interesting discussions and huge orgy. Everyone is welcome to come! WOOOHOOO
And journalists are morons.
Try the BBC: "The Higgs boson is another nail in the coffin of religion", "What do you get if you divide science by God?", "Is there room for Higgs Boson & Religion?"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-radio-and-tv-18712238
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7955846.stm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00tt7kb/World_Have_Your_Say_WHYS_60_Is_there_room_for_Higgs_Boson_and_Religion/
It wasn't the decision of the physicists. Leon Lederman originally wanted to title his book the goddamn particle, but the publisher wouldn't allow it.
Peter Higgs isn't happy with the name either.
Slashdot editors could do the world service by revising the name to its original whenever it appears here. Perhaps the rest of the world will pick up on the change.
Have gnu, will travel.
That's why lots of sites had articles like this.
If you ignored the obvious idiot sites, I thought the general reaction to the Higgs Boson was pretty good. Idiot sites like ABC, CBC, MSNBC and CNN.
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!