Okay, so I will be the first to admit I know nothing about the Large Hadron Collider that can’t be summed up by a weekend reporter for Fox News. Well, maybe just a eensy bit more than that. So I don’t know how the thing is powered, or how much energy it uses to spin up those enormous electromagnets, or even if it is capable of producing energy to power itself. But what I do know is that this close to “Earth Hour” Day, maybe we should work on our “decimating energy record” verbiage.
That said, I think it’s easily one of the most important scientific experiments ever. The potential for awesome is very high, spontaneous black holes and time-traveling nature bombs notwithstanding. Plus, it would make a dandy roller-skating rink.
I know its been a while since I last published, and it may not get much better soon. Been really, really busy, and no one is buying my awesome shirts(:D), so I have to focus on the efforts which are most likely to result in sushi money. Anyway, drop a line if you like the comic, you’re glad I’m alive, or you think I have no talent and should start conserving energy by turning off my servers.
Comments
OK – At first I was quite offended on behalf of the Physics community. Then I read your blog entry.
(The only problem is that many people will pick up the comic – sans the accompanying notes – and say “Yea, right on!”, thinking you have expressed a sincere disdain for scientific advancement – advancement that may well INCREASE our energy production without the use of fossil fuels that possess high pollution indexes.)
But I still enjoy the artistic style, and ofttimes timeliness, of your topics. Glad you are back – even if sporadically.
And I LOVE the subtle irony of a candle by which to see your desktop screen! Good one!
I’m just saying, I’d like the comic more if I were featured again
To answer your question about how much power it takes to spin up the electromagnets, I’d say zero. Electromagnets don’t have moving parts, so if you are spinning something then “Ur doin it rong!”
The LHC as a whole consumes roughly 1.21 jigawatts while running (jiggawatt? jiggaplease!).
The last panel is my favorite. I’ve seen that exact look on your face many times
I’d just like to say that I made that same glaring face earlier today at a kid who said the civil war had nothing to do with states’ rights…
I have to say, I’m a bit saddened that I have yet to appear in one of your comic strips… *sniff*
And yes, I have seen that look MANY a time as well! Hee hee!
I agree with Megan, I’ve been waiting for her appearance in the comic for many moons. And hey, I’ve seen that glare on ALL of the Marshall siblings.