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Why Were So Many "Crazy" Higgs Boson Stories Published?

Posted by samzenpus on from the what-can't-it-do? dept.

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?

10 of 291 comments (clear)

  1. Seriously? by Anrego · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The exact same reasons we read headlines about creating universe eating black holes when the thing started up.. about global pandemics that are going to wipe us all out.. about “Africanized” bees. It gets eyeball time, which is what it’s all about.

    “A long held theory has been possibly confirmed”

    Vs.

    “THE FUTURE IS HERE, LIVE LIKE THE JETSONS IN 5 YEARS!”

    One of those is going to sell a _lot_ more toothpaste.

  2. Where were they? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I didn't see any articles like that, are you confusing random small blogs for mainstream news sites? Or was this an American news thing?

    1. Re:Where were they? by Trent+Hawkins · · Score: 5, Informative

      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/

    2. Re:Where were they? by irenaeous · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Did you read the linked article? As a Christian, I rolled my eyes most at the BBC radio headline, "The Higgs boson is another nail in the coffin of religion." This seems like an equal opportunity attempt to offend. It attacks religion, but with an argument that is so stupid that it ought to offend atheists too who might be associated with such asininity. And this is the BBC who you think wouldn't do this kind of thing.

  3. Re:Could be... by rilles · · Score: 5, Funny

    As an atheist, I cannot accept the existence of a god particle. Now if you call it the particle known as 42, then I'm good.

  4. Re:What the Higgs confirmation means by hcs_$reboot · · Score: 5, Funny

    Nothing goes faster than C


    (besides assembly, but who does assembly?)

    --
    Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
  5. Because Lederman nicknamed it "the god particle" by nedlohs · · Score: 5, Informative

    And journalists are morons.

  6. God particle by techstar25 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Calling Higgs boson "The God Particle" is probably the greatest marketing decision in the history of science.

    1. Re:God particle by PPH · · Score: 5, Informative

      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.
  7. Re:Because Lederman nicknamed it "the god particle by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    When it comes to quantum physics, almost everyone is a moron.