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The Higgs Boson Should Have Crushed the Universe

astroengine writes: This may seem a little far fetched, but if our understanding of the physics behind the recently-discovered Higgs boson (or, more specifically, the Higgs field — the ubiquitous field that endows all stuff with mass) is correct, our Universe shouldn't exist. That is, however, if another cosmological hypothesis is real, a hypothesis that is currently undergoing intense scrutiny in light of the BICEP2 results. "The mathematics to arise from accepted Higgs field theory suggests the universe is currently sitting comfortably in a Higgs field energy 'valley.' To get out of this valley and up the adjacent 'hill,' huge quantities of energy would need to be unleashed inside the field. But, if there were enough energy to push the universe over the hill and into the deeper energy valley next door, the universe would simply, and catastrophically, collapse.

This is where the BICEP2 results come in. If their observations are real and gravitational waves in the CMB prove cosmological inflation, the Higgs field has already been kicked by too much energy, pushing the Higgs field over the energy hill and deep into the neighboring valley’s precipice! For any wannabe universe, this is very bad news — the newborn universe would appear as a Big Bang, the Higgs field would become overloaded with an energetic inflationary period, and the whole lot would vanish in a blink of an eye."

6 of 188 comments (clear)

  1. our Universe shouldn't exist. by Chrisq · · Score: 4, Funny

    our Universe shouldn't exist.

    Maybe it doesn't

    1. Re: our Universe shouldn't exist. by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 4, Funny

      The problem with Descartes is that you can only prove your own existence to yourself. In the event of some higher power deceiving you, the only proof you have is of your own existence.

      That's just what happens when you put Descartes before the horse.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    2. Re: our Universe shouldn't exist. by dcollins117 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Kant believe you just said that.

  2. Yes, it could be but is it AG? by 140Mandak262Jamuna · · Score: 3, Funny

    OK, OK, Higgs field is quite dangerous, and right now we seem to be sitting in the just-the-right-value. And if the Higgs field gets more energy the whole universe might collapse. But the most important question is, "Is the lower Higgs field energy anthropogenetic?". Do we have any kind of plans to absorb sudden injection of high energy into Higgs field in Andromeda galaxy? I never trusted the Andromedans and we are just trusting them not to energize the Higgs field? Just bomb them just to be safe.

    --
    sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
  3. Bomb Philosophy by TapeCutter · · Score: 4, Funny

    Dark Star was a lot funnier than the Matrix.

    --
    And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
  4. Re:Phew, it was a near miss! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    If JJ Abrams or Michael Bay are in charge, you bet there will be a crew of 10 sent to solve the problem after Chuck Norris goes MIA, and also bring him back by presidential order. Then the movie will end with Norris and just 3 of the search party returning after successfully re-setting the field. Oh, and a lightning bolt emerging from a black hole will hit the Statue of Liberty. Lens flares will be massive.