Originally Posted by
Benjimeister
I think its the same as when they thought the atom bomb might ignite the atmosphere. In reality, they knew it wouldn't happen, but people get nervous about that stuff, and the media loves to fear-monger. Its not just like Hawking has given his predictions about micro black holes and everyone is like, "ok, cool". There have been many many studies done to rule out possible 'side effects' of the LHC.
The "Atom Bomb" never drew any such discussions, as the general public and actually the majority of Government was completely unaware of any development of that bomb, because it was a
TOP SECRET DEVELOPMENT in view of it's strategic importance during WWII.
The development of the Hydrogen Bomb was in view of it's strategic importance during the cold war also a
TOP SECRET DEVELOPMENT.
That caused of course a lot of fear based nonsensical discussions in the public domain, mainly due to lack of information.
.
As mentioned in my reply to OrdinaryGuy the ultimate and unsolvable problem of the possible creation of a black hole was never discussed in the discussions involving the Cern upgrading. Maybe in inter-scientist discussions, but
NEVER was that a point of discussion in the final funding debates on Cern. It was kept away from all political and financial decision takers than, and still is being blown away as "nonsensical" from the side of the scientists now. There never was any real open communication about the possible consequences of colliders as Cern and future even more powerful ones.
And
THAT is wrong. It is
IMMORAL not to have that small possibility discussed openly, as all life we know to exist in the universe is involved.