What exactly is the God particle?

Golden said:

Here's another interesting explanation on the Higgs:
http://mashable.com/2012/07/03/higgs-boson-cartoon/

Thanks so much for uploading this little animated cartoon, Golden. I actually understood it. . . kinda. Well, at least I now have a much better idea of what they're really talking about, and I appreciate that! It's also pretty staggering to see how much information we still don't know!

Everlong said:

seekermeister said:

This particle is a big deal and quoted by some as one of the greatest discoveries in science.

how do you think that mankind is going to benefit from this?

Well it shows that the Standard Model is correct, and that we don't have to go back to the drawing board and draw up the laws of physics again.

It's like opening a toolbox and saying, "Good, I do have a screwdriver with me". Nobody can predict the impact of the discovery. It will lead to a better understand of the weak and strong forces in the Standard Model, and even on to the understanding of dark matter in the Universe or other undreamed practical benefits. Even maybe the possibility of manipulating the Higgs Boson, so we could control inertia and cutting back on our depletion of fossil fuels.

Is ignorance really that bliss?

While ignorance is not necessarily bliss, there is some knowledge that doesn't bring bliss either. I'm not saying that this fits into that category, but ignorance comes in all shapes, forms and sizes.

For those of you that believe that this is a good way to spend taxpayer money, I know that there is nothing that I can say to dissuade you, but that doesn't deter me from expressing what I believe, regardless of how ignorant that you believe that it is.