Monday, May 2, 2016

Emily Miller- Particle collider interrupted because of a weasel

The world's biggest particle accelerator lost power last Friday because of a weasel. It gnawed through some wires outside of the Large Hadron Collider and immediately died due to undergoing 66,000 volts of energy. As a result, the entire science experiment was briefly haulted.
The story seems comical, but it is a classic example of the faults of machinery. Humans, and particularly Americans, rely on technology to perform even simple activities. We are reaching an age where the inability of a device to perform its duty leaves us completely inept. Obviously this current event is a much more serious example, but it demonstrates a flaw.
To think that a small animal could bring down an entire facility is a scary thought for people. If a weasel can cut the power, what can solar flares do? What are we going to do if we experience another storm like the Carrington event?
I certainly believe in the evolution of technology, but it has to be able to cooperate with and withstand the unpredictable actions of nature.

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