Comments on: Putting the Higgs particle in perspective http://blog.oup.com/2012/08/higgs-particle-boson-perspective-baggott/ Academic insights for the thinking world. Fri, 17 May 2013 12:26:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: OUPblog » Blog Archive » What is the Higgs boson? http://blog.oup.com/2012/08/higgs-particle-boson-perspective-baggott/#comment-291080 OUPblog » Blog Archive » What is the Higgs boson? Mon, 03 Sep 2012 08:31:45 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=27251#comment-291080 [...] is the Higgs boson? permalink buy this book read more Posted on Monday, September 3rd, 2012 at 4:30 am SHARE: On 4 July 2012, scientists [...] [...] is the Higgs boson? permalink buy this book read more Posted on Monday, September 3rd, 2012 at 4:30 am SHARE: On 4 July 2012, scientists [...]

]]> By: Alice http://blog.oup.com/2012/08/higgs-particle-boson-perspective-baggott/#comment-286031 Alice Sat, 11 Aug 2012 12:34:13 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=27251#comment-286031 I just wanted to let our readers know that Oxford University Press is well aware of the anxiety concerning the use of the phrase 'god particle' and that it isn't a phrase favored by physicists. You can find an <a href="http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2012/07/the-higgs-boson-now-considered-real/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">article on the definition struggles and history of the phrase on Oxford Dictionaries Online</a>, which was also linked to the phrase when it was used above. Because the term 'god particle' has been used so frequently in the media, people (as in the general public, not physicists) frequently use the phrase 'god particle' instead of 'Higgs boson' when searching for information on it. We chose to include this popular phrase to reach this audience, and rest assured that a full explanation of the inaccuracy of the phrase is included in Jim Baggott's new book. -- Blog Editor Alice I just wanted to let our readers know that Oxford University Press is well aware of the anxiety concerning the use of the phrase ‘god particle’ and that it isn’t a phrase favored by physicists. You can find an article on the definition struggles and history of the phrase on Oxford Dictionaries Online, which was also linked to the phrase when it was used above. Because the term ‘god particle’ has been used so frequently in the media, people (as in the general public, not physicists) frequently use the phrase ‘god particle’ instead of ‘Higgs boson’ when searching for information on it. We chose to include this popular phrase to reach this audience, and rest assured that a full explanation of the inaccuracy of the phrase is included in Jim Baggott’s new book.

– Blog Editor Alice

]]> By: spcgl http://blog.oup.com/2012/08/higgs-particle-boson-perspective-baggott/#comment-285670 spcgl Thu, 09 Aug 2012 03:53:03 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=27251#comment-285670 As an astrophysicist I must agree with the first comment, this is a very annoying phrase, insulting both to scientists and to people of faith. However, you might be entertained to know that the background of the "God particle" phrase is that it is a public-friendly version of what physicists were REALLY calling it out of frustration because of its elusiveness -- the "Godd*mn particle". But no, physicists absolutely do not go around using the term "God" to explain what we're exploring with experiments like CERN. As an astrophysicist I must agree with the first comment, this is a very annoying phrase, insulting both to scientists and to people of faith. However, you might be entertained to know that the background of the “God particle” phrase is that it is a public-friendly version of what physicists were REALLY calling it out of frustration because of its elusiveness — the “Godd*mn particle”. But no, physicists absolutely do not go around using the term “God” to explain what we’re exploring with experiments like CERN.

]]> By: Bman http://blog.oup.com/2012/08/higgs-particle-boson-perspective-baggott/#comment-285331 Bman Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:08:47 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=27251#comment-285331 Cosmology has always used words like "god particle" or "the face of god" to describe such unknown and elusive things like the Higgs. We are exploring what was previously believed to be "god"; the universe and creation. It's only natural to explain things this way. Anyone with common sense knows it isn't actually "god" but it's the only word we have to explain what we're exploring. Cosmology has always used words like “god particle” or “the face of god” to describe such unknown and elusive things like the Higgs. We are exploring what was previously believed to be “god”; the universe and creation. It’s only natural to explain things this way. Anyone with common sense knows it isn’t actually “god” but it’s the only word we have to explain what we’re exploring.

]]> By: Al http://blog.oup.com/2012/08/higgs-particle-boson-perspective-baggott/#comment-285188 Al Sun, 05 Aug 2012 16:45:44 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=27251#comment-285188 I really would appreciate it if popularizes of physics stop hyping what is otherwise a great discovery and scientific progress by using "God Particle" of other sensational phrases and layman eye-catching hyperbole. It is degrading and disrespectful of this field of study! No wonder people started to think physics has just become another religion for the masses. I really would appreciate it if popularizes of physics stop hyping what is otherwise a great discovery and scientific progress by using “God Particle” of other sensational phrases and layman eye-catching hyperbole. It is degrading and disrespectful of this field of study! No wonder people started to think physics has just become another religion for the masses.

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