Stephen Hawkings Finds Physics Boring After the Discovery of the God Particle

For four decades, physicists have been searching for what they formally call the Higgs boson particle which deals with how other particles form mass. It was popularized in a 1993 book by the name “The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the Question?” written by the Nobel-prize winning physicist Leon M. Lederman. Although, it should be noted that the term “God particle” is generally loathed by physicists.

Nevertheless, on the July 4, 2012, physicists announced they detected what they believed to be the Higgs boson particle and on March 14 of this year it was confirmed. In fact, the Nobel Prize from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences was given to Peter Higgs of the United Kingdom and Francois Englert of Belgium for their 1964 theories which formed the basis of study leading to the fundamental particle’s discovery.

Renowned physicists Stephen Hawkings isn’t happy about the discovery though. Speaking to an audience at London’s Science Museum, he expressed his belief that the particle would never be discovered. He made a $100 wager with a colleague that he had to make good on the day the Nobel Prize was awarded for the Higgs boson particle.

“I had a bet with Gordon Kane of Michigan University that the Higgs particle wouldn’t be found,” Hawking said, adding “the Nobel Prize cost me USD 100.”

He now believes that part of the thrill of physics is gone with the particle’s discovery.

“Physics would be far more interesting if it had not been found,” Hawking said.

On The God:
Stephen Hawking: Why he wishes Higgs boson remained a mystery
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2013/1120/Stephen-Hawking-Why-he-wishes-Higgs-boson-remained-a-mystery