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Peter Higgs, physicist who discovered Higgs boson, has died

theguardian.com

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Re: Peter Higgs, physicist who discovered Higgs boson, has died

#71

Post by wumeow »

lupire wrote: post #19
dotnet00 wrote: post #12

The story of how Higgs predicted his mechanism was part of what got me into physics as a kid. It fit 10 year old me's obsession with the 'soft-spoken genius' archetype perfectly and formed a pillar in my belief that 'genius' was made through hard work (and some amount of luck) rather than being born with it. The announcement of the detection at the LHC is a core memory of mine, I still distinctly remember where I was…

What makes you think he wasn't born with it? I can see in own kids that each one is built differently, with different inmate propensities despite similar environment.

People with innate ability almost always take it for granted.

Re: Peter Higgs, physicist who discovered Higgs boson, has died

#73

Post by mercacona »

sonofaragorn wrote: post #32
dotnet00 wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My parents had a hard time explaining my dad's job to me, so they just told me he was a scientist because he had a masters in physics (he was a diplomat). Like any little kid, my parents were my heroes, so of course this led me to becoming obsessed with scientists and reading up on science stuff, eg trying to read my sister's university textbooks. I developed a hobby of reading up on and sharing factoids I found onli…

I get your sentiment, but I think it's important for science communication to adapt to the times. Decades ago (and even as little as one decade ago), most scientists (maybe Hawking being the exception) who would dare appear in these 1hr documentaries would be belittled by the "hardcore" scientists with the same words you used "Science should not be over-simplified like that", "they are not real scientists, they just…

Won’t say that TikTok audience is a pound where you’ll find future scientists. I’ll invest on promoting alternative spaces both virtual and local best.

Re: Peter Higgs, physicist who discovered Higgs boson, has died

#76

Post by moomin »

cge wrote: post #47
dotnet00 wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My parents had a hard time explaining my dad's job to me, so they just told me he was a scientist because he had a masters in physics (he was a diplomat). Like any little kid, my parents were my heroes, so of course this led me to becoming obsessed with scientists and reading up on science stuff, eg trying to read my sister's university textbooks. I developed a hobby of reading up on and sharing factoids I found onli…

I think a difficulty with science communication is that it is very rare to have someone who is both a great scientist and great science communicator, and even with the ability, it is difficult for them to devote enough time and focus to be great at both. Feynman was, if flawed in some ways as a communicator. Hawking was, but I got the sense that at some point later in his life his focus on communication to the public…

There are definitely science communicators who _are_ committed to getting it right. Dr Brian Cox and Bill Nye strike me as good examples. The late Patrick Moore was another.

NDT, embarrassingly, often is just plain wrong. He treats “science” as a side, not an investigation into the wonder of the natural world.

Re: Peter Higgs, physicist who discovered Higgs boson, has died

#77

Post by wholinator2 »

tgv wrote: post #40
dotnet00 wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most childhood prodigies don't end up being all that different from the average person as an adult, and of course no one's born with the knowledge of some revolutionary discovery in their head. While all of us have things we find easier to do than the average person, short of a literal mental disability, we can build up skills in things we are not good at through practice. I used to barely pass in math class and didn…

But there definitely is a wide variation in peak capability. I have been playing keyboard instruments almost my whole life, and while I can play relatively complex pieces, I've never gotten at the level of professional musicians, let alone the greats. It's true they wouldn't have gotten where they are without practicing, but practicing is just not enough.

Well you probably don't practice at much as they do.

Re: Peter Higgs, physicist who discovered Higgs boson, has died

#78

Post by amelius »

dotnet00 wrote: post #12

The story of how Higgs predicted his mechanism was part of what got me into physics as a kid. It fit 10 year old me's obsession with the 'soft-spoken genius' archetype perfectly and formed a pillar in my belief that 'genius' was made through hard work (and some amount of luck) rather than being born with it. The announcement of the detection at the LHC is a core memory of mine, I still distinctly remember where I was…

Can you recommend any physics books that were of value to you as a kid and perhaps sparked your interest?

Re: Peter Higgs, physicist who discovered Higgs boson, has died

#79

Post by wolverine876 »

cm2187 wrote: post #53
dotnet00 wrote: post #12

The story of how Higgs predicted his mechanism was part of what got me into physics as a kid. It fit 10 year old me's obsession with the 'soft-spoken genius' archetype perfectly and formed a pillar in my belief that 'genius' was made through hard work (and some amount of luck) rather than being born with it. The announcement of the detection at the LHC is a core memory of mine, I still distinctly remember where I was…

Did you succeed with your parents? It's hard to be excited about theoretical physics as a layman. It has been a long time since any of those theories had any practical application.

> It has been a long time since any of those theories had any practical application.

That's a cliche, not why people are ignorant of science (if it's even true, which it's not), IMHO.

When you kiss your spouse or watch a sporting event or (go bird watching / play D&D / play your trumpet / ), does it have a pratical application? Practical applications tend to be kind of boring, actually.

If you can't get excited about the fundamental laws of nature and a person's actual discovery of one - the reason for mass (such an incredible concept that it would be absurd to say if it wasn't true) - then the issue isn't partical physics.

For the broader public, I think these things just aren't explained well, and now there's the anti-science mis/disinformation.

Re: Peter Higgs, physicist who discovered Higgs boson, has died

#80

Post by wolverine876 »

dotnet00 wrote: post #25
KingFelix wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is awesome, we need some more amazing scientists in the public eye to inspire the young. I know there are a lot of amazing scientists, but somehow need to get them on tiktok or something? Can you share the story?

My parents had a hard time explaining my dad's job to me, so they just told me he was a scientist because he had a masters in physics (he was a diplomat). Like any little kid, my parents were my heroes, so of course this led me to becoming obsessed with scientists and reading up on science stuff, eg trying to read my sister's university textbooks. I developed a hobby of reading up on and sharing factoids I found onli…

> My parents had a hard time explaining my dad's job to me, so they just told me he was a scientist because he had a masters in physics (he was a diplomat).

I'm just curious about when you found out what he really did, and if you had known earlier if you would have been a diplomat today rather than a scientist.

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