As I reflected on last week’s research and my conversation with Francois, I realized that there two opposing attitudes towards the LHC experiment. On one side, as Francois mentioned, there is awe of discovery. On the other, there is terror of potential calamity. This week I tried to find some analogies and imageries for these two attitudes.
Fear and terror
If you google LHC, there are plenty of homemade visuals of doom.
Analogies
Awe and Wonder
I found more images of simulations of particles colliding. I feel that these images, though technical, portray the beauty and wonder of the experiment.
Analogies
Using Francois’s example of cosmic rays, what scientists used to compare with the energy created by the LHC collision.
The Unknown
Since LHC is an experiment, the largest and most complex that mankind has ever built, nobody can confidently predict the outcome. That excites some, such as the scientists, and terrifies others. This dynamic fascinates me and I plan to continue exploring in this direction. An idea is to create a VR experience of inside the LHC.
References
https://www.quora.com/search?q=LHC
To dos
- Read H.P. Lovercraft and Greek Myth of going into hell
- Research related VR experiences
- Sketch 3D scenerios and environments
- Prototype in three.js
http://semiconductorfilms.com/
thought you’d be interested in their work as visualizers of complex scientific concepts…