Mark Thomson, a renowned professor of experimental particle physics, has taken on one of the most coveted roles in global science - the director general position at Cern, the prestigious nuclear physics laboratory on the outskirts of Geneva. As he prepares to turn the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the largest scientific instrument ever built, off for engineering work, many are left wondering if this is a selfless act or a strategic move that benefits him personally.
Thomson's enthusiasm about the shutdown is palpable, as he views it as an opportunity to analyze huge amounts of data and uncover new physics results. The machine, which recreates conditions that existed microseconds after the big bang, has already made history with its discovery of the Higgs boson. However, this achievement also raises more questions than answers - why do particles gain their masses in different ways, and how do Higgs bosons interact with each other?
Thomson's five-year tenure will be dominated by the high-luminosity LHC upgrade, a major project that promises to revolutionize particle physics. The new machine will collide protons at seven times the energy of the LHC, raising the number of collisions tenfold and allowing for more precise measurements of particles. However, this upgrade also brings its own set of challenges, including a hefty price tag of estimated 15 billion Swiss francs or £14 billion.
The Future Circular Collider (FCC), a colossal machine that promises to push the boundaries of human knowledge even further, is already making waves in the scientific community. The FCC would be more than three times the size of the LHC, requiring a new 91km circular tunnel and a significant investment from Cern's member states. However, the debate surrounding its feasibility has sparked controversy, with some questioning whether it's the best machine for making new discoveries.
As Thomson prepares to embark on this ambitious journey, he is aware that his role will be to ensure the continuation of Cern's dominance in particle physics. With other countries, including the US and China, vying for their own advanced colliders, the stakes are high. Will the FCC prove to be the natural progression of the LHC, or will it mark a new era in scientific discovery? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain - Mark Thomson's next five years will be filled with excitement, uncertainty, and a passion for uncovering the secrets of the universe.
Thomson's enthusiasm about the shutdown is palpable, as he views it as an opportunity to analyze huge amounts of data and uncover new physics results. The machine, which recreates conditions that existed microseconds after the big bang, has already made history with its discovery of the Higgs boson. However, this achievement also raises more questions than answers - why do particles gain their masses in different ways, and how do Higgs bosons interact with each other?
Thomson's five-year tenure will be dominated by the high-luminosity LHC upgrade, a major project that promises to revolutionize particle physics. The new machine will collide protons at seven times the energy of the LHC, raising the number of collisions tenfold and allowing for more precise measurements of particles. However, this upgrade also brings its own set of challenges, including a hefty price tag of estimated 15 billion Swiss francs or £14 billion.
The Future Circular Collider (FCC), a colossal machine that promises to push the boundaries of human knowledge even further, is already making waves in the scientific community. The FCC would be more than three times the size of the LHC, requiring a new 91km circular tunnel and a significant investment from Cern's member states. However, the debate surrounding its feasibility has sparked controversy, with some questioning whether it's the best machine for making new discoveries.
As Thomson prepares to embark on this ambitious journey, he is aware that his role will be to ensure the continuation of Cern's dominance in particle physics. With other countries, including the US and China, vying for their own advanced colliders, the stakes are high. Will the FCC prove to be the natural progression of the LHC, or will it mark a new era in scientific discovery? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain - Mark Thomson's next five years will be filled with excitement, uncertainty, and a passion for uncovering the secrets of the universe.
. He seems super passionate about this whole LHC shutdown thing, and I can get why he's stoked – it's like getting to play with a giant puzzle piece that nobody's really figured out yet 
. But what really gets me is how he's gonna balance being the boss of this massive scientific machine with his own goals and ambitions 
. And let's be real, 15 billion Swiss francs is no chump change 
. I'm curious to see if the FCC thing is just a bunch of hype or if it'll actually deliver on its promises 
. Either way, Mark Thomson's got some big shoes to fill, but I think he's up for the challenge 
, I mean, who wouldn't want to play God with all those particles? 
But seriously, 15 billion Swiss francs for an upgrade? That's some crazy cash 
? Either way, I'm sure Mark Thomson is ready to take on the challenge and get his geek on 
.
I guess what I'm saying is that, as scientists, we have to be mindful of the ethics behind our pursuit of knowledge. Are we using these machines for the greater good, or are they just another tool in the arsenal of ego-driven progress? Only time will tell...
. Either way, it's gonna be fascinating to see how this all plays out! The Future Circular Collider (FCC) idea is mind-blowing, though - can't wait to hear more about it and what kinda breakthroughs we might see 
. One thing's for sure, the next five years are gonna be EPIC 
!
What if he can't handle all the pressure and expectations? 
i mean, 15 billion swiss francs is like, wooooo 
. It sounds like science fiction to me - a new 91km circular tunnel and a hefty price tag? Come on! Has the world gone mad? We should be focusing on more practical applications of physics, not just chasing after some arbitrary dream of "new discoveries" 
.
and now it's getting a major upgrade 
with even more powerful energy and collisions 
! but yikes 15 billion Swiss francs or £14 billion is straight up crazy money 
! can't wait to see how this whole situation plays out 
. Now, about the FCC - it's clear there's a lot of debate surrounding its feasibility, but personally, I think we can't afford to not push the boundaries 
. It's all about progress and uncovering new secrets about our universe 
.
he's literally going to change the game in particle physics 
and I love how enthusiastic he is about it 
. I know some people might think it's a strategic move, but honestly, who wouldn't want to work on something that could revolutionize our understanding of the universe?! 
. And can we talk about how much potential the FCC has? 
. Bring on the excitement and uncertainty, I'm ready for it 
. the lhc upgrade is gonna be lit 
. The estimated price tag though is pretty wild £14 billion. Can't wait to see how Thomson and his team tackle those challenges 
Thomson's all hyped up about shutting down the LHC for maintenance, but honestly, I'm not sure if he's doing it for the greater good or to line his own pockets. 
. I mean, what's to stop him from pocketing some of that cash and using it for personal gain? It's all about who pulls the strings behind the scenes 
.
, but on the other hand, some people might be thinking he's just trying to get ahead in his career, which isn't necessarily a bad thing I guess? 
.
, which makes me wonder if we'll actually see any real progress in understanding the universe or not 