In a thousand years we might be saying "Einstein who?"

[caladria]

So, there's a possibility that things do travel faster than light

But, as this would disrupt an entire century's worth of physics, the scientists at CERN would like other people to check their homework

On the other hand, if they are wrong, then one scientist/tv presenter will eat his own boxers on live tv which is a good enough reason for me to

Comments

[smirnoffmule]

And the whole thing just reminds me of Asimov - "The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' (I found it!) but 'That's funny ...'"

And makes me want to jump up and down and go, "Look! This is how science works! It's really exciting!"

Because they didn't look at their weird result and say "well, it must be wrong, we'll ignore it" - they retested it time and time again to a point where it had to be factually accurate. And now they're saying, well maybe it's our tunnel. Would other people that can do this experiment check it please? And if it's confirmed, then, we rethink. And if it's not, then they still have to figure out why it happened.

Just basically quoting your entire post back to you here, but yes. All of this. I <3 science.

[caladria]

You actually have quoted the entire thing as well!

And even better, it's co-operative science (like the HIV protein being unlocked by foldit folks) they genuinely are just throwing the doors open and letting everyone have at it for the betterment of our understanding (and I might be a cynic, but when idealised versions of how science should work actually happen, I still get to be happy.)

[smirnoffmule]

I missed out the top bit! Besides, you might have forgotten what you just wrote.

(and I might be a cynic, but when idealised versions of how science should work actually happen, I still get to be happy.)

YES. It doesn't always work like it should, but when it does, it's a thing of happy.

[caladria]

Ha! I think CERN can't believe it, either - hence asking the groups in Chicago and Shanghai who have the capability to repeat the experiment to repeat the experiment and see what comes up, and the publishing of their experimental data online for all to have a look at.

The thought that our fundamental understanding of the universe might be wrong is pretty scary (but exciting!)