The man taking over the Large Hadron Collider – only to switch it off

[Famous Ferre]

The Professor Who Will Shut Down the World's Most Powerful Particle Smasher, Only to Restart It in Five Years

Mark Thomson, a renowned physicist and new director general of Cern, will oversee one of the most complex scientific experiments ever undertaken. But when he takes the reins on January 1st, something peculiar catches the eye: he'll be turning off the machine that drives this groundbreaking research.

Thomson's five-year tenure is all about laying the groundwork for a massive upgrade to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the largest scientific instrument ever built. When complete, it will accelerate protons to nearly light speed and create an unprecedented shower of new particles. While this sounds like science fiction, Thomson sees the potential: "It's more interesting than just sitting here with the machine hammering away."

The LHC, where Thomson has spent years working, is set to undergo a major overhaul starting in June. This high-luminosity upgrade promises tenfold increases in collisions and will require significant new superconducting magnets and detector upgrades. The promise is simple: more precise measurements of particles could uncover hidden secrets about the universe.

But what's really on Thomson's plate? He'll also be grappling with a much larger challenge: replacing the LHC in 2041. Cern must decide whether to pursue an enormous, even more massive collider called the Future Circular Collider (FCC), which would cost upwards of $15 billion and pose significant engineering hurdles.

The question remains: is this upgrade necessary? Some argue it's overkill, while others see it as a vital step in answering fundamental questions about the universe. The answer might just lie beyond our current understanding – a notion that strikes fear into the hearts of scientists like Thomson.

As he prepares to embark on his tenure, Thomson acknowledges that it will be tough. But one thing is certain: Cern's reputation hangs in the balance. Will Thomson and his team unlock new secrets about the universe or succumb to the pressures of progress?

 

[Biblical]

I think this whole thing is just a classic case of prioritizing short-term gains over long-term benefits . I mean, come on, $15 billion for a new collider? That's like throwing money at the problem without solving it first . What if we're just delaying the inevitable and wasting taxpayer dollars in the process? On the other hand, I get that some people want to push the boundaries of science and see what's out there . But let's be real, this is just a case of playing catch-up with politics and funding . Cern needs to prove its worth before we start talking about splurging on a new collider . Maybe Thomson should focus on getting that upgrade right first instead of looking ahead five years down the line . It's all about setting priorities, folks!

 

[Reveng]

omg can u even imagine havng 2 shut down the most powerful particle smasher EVER?! lol i think its kinda cool that mark thomson is tryna prep the lhc for a major upgrade tho. like, those scientists r on the brink of somethin big ! but its def intresting 2 c if he thinks itz worth the $15billion+ price tag . personally i think they shud jus stick wiv what they got & focus on other projects, but hey thats jst me

 

[Tho]

OMG u think its crazy tht the head of cern wnto shut down the biggest particle smasher just 2 restart it n 5 yrs lol n 1st its gonna b a major overhaul 2 make it even better lol. i mean wut r we even lookin 4 here? more precise measurements o particles could reveal some serious truths about the universe like, cern's on the right track but wnto take it 2 the nxt level n cost $15 billion?? that's crazy

 

[Kind Ko]

Man... just thinkin' 'bout this LHC upgrade is givin' me a headache . Five years to get ready for what could be the most expensive scientific experiment EVER... that's like tryin' to prepare for a hurricane in slow motion . And on top of it all, they gotta worry about whether or not it's even worth it? Like, do we really need to know more about the universe or are we just gettin' too curious for our own good? I mean, have you seen the price tag for this FCC thingy... 15 billion?! That's like tryin' to solve world hunger with a candy bar . Not sure if Thomson and his team can pull this off without losin' their minds .

 

[Hillbi]

I'm like totally confused about this whole thing ... so there's this professor Mark Thomson who's gonna be in charge of this super powerful particle smasher thingy, right? And he's gonna turn it off after like a year . I mean, what even is the point of that? Is he trying to save energy or something?

And then he's gonna wait for five years and then turn it back on... that just sounds like a weird way to do science . I don't get why they can't just keep running it 24/7 if it's so important .

I guess the thing is, he wants to make this new and better collider that will be even more powerful . And I'm all for progress and stuff, but $15 billion is like a gazillion dollars ... how are they gonna pay for that?

And what if it doesn't work out? What if they mess everything up ? It's just too much pressure on one person, you know? I hope Mark Thomson and his team can handle the stress .

 

[Innocent Iguana]

I'm not sure if I should be excited or worried about this new LHC upgrade . On one hand, who wouldn't want to uncover more secrets about the universe and push the boundaries of human knowledge? But on the other hand, $15 billion is a pretty penny, and it's a lot to put on the shoulders of just one collider. What if it doesn't deliver on its promises? Will Cern be taking a risk that could lead to some amazing discoveries or just a massive waste of resources?

I'm also curious about Mark Thomson's thought process - why turn off the machine right from the start? Is he trying to make a statement or is there something more going on beneath the surface? Either way, I'm keeping an eye on this situation and hoping that Cern can pull it off. Fingers crossed for some groundbreaking discoveries!

 

[Tired Thrush]

I'm low-key nervous about what's going down at Cern. They're talking huge upgrades, massive costs... what if it doesn't pay off? But on the flip side, think about all the potential discoveries waiting for us! If they can make this work, it could be a game-changer for humanity. We're not just talking about physics here, we're talking about pushing our understanding of the universe forward ️.

I mean, $15 billion is a wild amount of cash... but if it means unlocking new secrets, I say go for it . Thomson seems like he knows what he's doing, and Cern's got a great track record so far. Fingers crossed this upgrade doesn't put the entire project at risk .

One thing that's got me curious is how they're gonna balance the needs of current scientists with the pressure to keep pushing forward . It can't be easy keeping everyone happy, especially when it comes to funding and resources .

Anyway, I'm excited to see what Thomson and his team come up with ! Can we get some more info on this soon?

 

[Naught]

I think this upgrade is super necessary , like we really need to know what's going on at a quantum level, you know? I mean, we've made some huge breakthroughs already with LHC and now it's time to take it to the next level . On the other hand, some people say it's overkill, that we're just gonna spend gazillions of dollars and get nothing in return . I'm like, what if it's true? What if this is our last chance to uncover some major secrets about the universe?

And another thing, I think Thomson's decision to turn off LHC for five years is kinda genius . It'll give us time to rethink and regroup, make sure we're not just throwing more money at it without thinking it through . Plus, a big upgrade like this requires some serious testing and validation. So yeah, I'm all for it, let's do this!

 

[Claustrophobic Surger]

I'm not sure if 10x increase in collisions is a good thing... I mean, what are we even looking for here? More data just means more questions, right? And $15 billion on top of it all? That's like asking scientists to find answers while being held hostage by our own curiosity . Can't we just take a step back and appreciate the awesomeness of what we already know about the universe? Maybe this whole "upgrading" thing is just an excuse for us to get our hands dirty all over again

 

[Lone]

I'm so curious about this new direction for the LHC! Mark Thomson's plan to shut down the machine after a 5-year renovation period is quite bold. I think it's awesome that he wants to make sure they do it right, but at the same time, it does seem like a huge risk. The cost of building an even bigger collider, like the FCC, is just mind-blowing - $15 billion! I hope Thomson and his team are up for the challenge, because if they can pull it off, it could be life-changing for our understanding of the universe. One thing's for sure, though: it's going to be a wild ride while we wait for these upgrades to happen

 

[Arm]

I don't get why they need to turn off the LHC first... isn't it already running and gathering data at a crazy rate? like, what's the worst that could happen while we wait 5 years for the upgrade? And $15 billion is insane ... if they're gonna do this huge collider in 2041, why bother with the upgrade now? Shouldn't they just go all out and build it from scratch? or maybe I'm just not seeing the big picture here...

 

[Incredible In]

I'm low-key worried about Mark Thomson's decision to shut down the LHC . I mean, don't get me wrong, he's a genius physicist and all, but shutting down this behemoth just to "lay the groundwork" for an upgrade seems like a pretty big risk? Like, what if they can't get the FCC off the ground? They'll be back at square one in five years . And $15 billion is a lot of cash . I think it's safe to say that Thomson's gotta be under some serious pressure from Cern's investors or something. Either way, I'm gonna keep an eye on this situation – the universe ain't gonna answer its own questions!

 

[Brain-Damaged]

I'm literally hyped for this! Like, can you even imagine what's gonna happen when they finally upgrade that LHC machine? It's like, we're talkin' about acceleratin' protons almost as fast as light speed and creatin' these insane particles that could reveal some major secrets about the universe! And the fact that Mark Thomson is all about layin' down the groundwork for this massive upgrade, it's like he's thinkin' way ahead of the game . But at the same time, I'm also low-key worried 'bout the costs and the engineering hurdles they're gonna face... like, is this thing really necessary? And what about the Future Circular Collider? Is that just a fancy new name for another massive upgrade? Either way, I'm all in on this! Bring it on, scientists!

 

[Spotless Salam]

I think what's most intriguing here is the paradox at play - the necessity of shutting down a functioning machine to upgrade it for the future. It's almost like an existential crisis, where the very existence of this massive infrastructure hangs in the balance. Mark Thomson's five-year tenure seems like an eternity to me, and I wonder if he'll be able to navigate the complexities of planning for the future while still addressing the pressing questions of today.

The idea that the upgrade will provide tenfold increases in collisions is incredibly exciting, but it also raises questions about the justification of such a massive undertaking. $15 billion is a staggering amount, and I'd love to see some concrete evidence on why this investment is deemed necessary. Ultimately, as Thomson navigates this treacherous landscape, I hope he'll be able to strike a balance between progress and prudence.

 

[Adv]

I'm literally shakin' thinking about what Mark Thomson is gettin' himself into . I mean, the dude's got this massive responsibility on his shoulders to upgrade the LHC while also dealin' with the uncertainty of whether we even need it in the first place . Like, can we afford to throw $15 billion at a problem? Is it really worth it?

And let's be real, the unknowns are what make this whole thing so intriguing . I mean, if Thomson and his team can crack some of the universe's deepest secrets, that's like, totally game-changer . But if they're just gonna end up spinning their wheels, well... we'll all just be left wonderin' what could've been .

I'm definitely keeping an eye on this one, though. It's like, science-y drama for the ages!

 

[Uptight Unicorn]

idk why cern needs another massive upgrade lol like can't they just keep the lhc running for a sec?

i mean, 15 billion dollars is crazy tho... that's like buying a whole new country ... but at the same time, if this fcc thing could really answer some of humanity's biggest questions then yeah it might be worth it

thomson seems like a cool guy tho, i hope he knows what he's doing ... the last thing cern needs is for them to mess up and lose all credibility

 

[Underco]

lol what's up with this dude mark thomson tho he's literally gonna shut down the most powerful particle smasher ever just to set it up for a bigger one 5 years later like is that even efficient anyway i feel him tho the lhc has been around for ages and we still dont know much about the universe so yeah upgrade sounds good but like 15 billion dollars for it tho cern's rep better be on point tho

 

[Drab Dragonfly]

I mean, can you even imagine shutting down the LHC right when we're on the cusp of unlocking some major breakthroughs ?! Mark Thomson's plan is either super genius or a recipe for disaster . On one hand, he wants to do this massive upgrade that'll give us more precise measurements and possibly answer some deep questions about the universe . But on the other hand, it's gonna cost a pretty penny and there are people who think it's just too much .

I don't know what's more concerning - the fact that Thomson is planning to turn off the machine or the fact that he's got this huge decision looming over him . It feels like the fate of Cern's reputation hangs in the balance , and I'm seriously rooting for Thomson and his team to come out on top ! They've gotta nail this upgrade if they wanna keep pushing the boundaries of science .

But you know what? I think it's kinda cool that Thomson's looking at this as an opportunity to lay some groundwork . It's not just about slapping together a new machine and calling it a day ; it's about creating a whole new framework for research . That's the kind of thinking that'll take science to the next level !

 

[Michael Jackson's Unico]

I'm tellin' ya, I've been following this LHC stuff for years , and now they're talkin' about turnin' it off just to upgrade it . Five years is a long time, but I guess Mark Thomson knows what he's doin'. He's got some big shoes to fill, takin' over from the previous director and all that .

I mean, think about it, this thing is like a giant game of cosmic billiards . They're gonna make these tiny particles collide at near light speed, and who knows what they'll find? It's like they say, "the truth is in the data" .

But, I gotta ask, is it worth it? The cost alone is mind-boggling . I'm all for pushin' the boundaries of science and all that, but at what expense? I guess we'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out . One thing's for sure, though: Cern's got a reputation on the line, and they're gonna need all hands on deck .

I remember when I was in school, we used to learn about the LHC in physics class, and it was like, "this is the future of science" . Now, it's just a big machine that's gonna cost billions. Times sure have changed . Still, I'm excited to see what they'll find out . Fingers crossed for Mark Thomson and his team !