Scientific advancement cannot modify the mindset of individuals for it is still crippled by feudal thoughts and superstitions. How tradition is responsible for stunted growth is reveled in this article by referring to the big bang experiment.

The recent Big Bang experiment is perhaps the latest example of how people loose rationality when something unprecedented happens. Experts believe that this is one of the most expensive experiments involving millions of dollars. But most importantly if it succeeds then it will be a landmark in the world of physics. The most irresponsible lot in the whole discourse is the media which is considered to be the fourth estate. Not only are they misleading the people but they are also not trying to clear the air by throwing more light than heat on the experiment itself. As few news channels have already concluded that it is going to be doomsday and they validate their statements by bringing in astrologers, who have a wider support base than scientists like Stephen Hawkings in a country like India.


The whole experiment involves the replication of the condition that led to the formation of the universe which in scientific terms is also known as the Hot Big Bang Theory. For this purpose Large Hadron Collider has been manufactured. But the key experiment that worries some people -- smashing two ultra-fast beams of particles will not happen for two to six weeks. In that experiment, scientists want to trigger tiny collisions at nearly the speed of light, to recreate in miniature the heat and energy of the Big Bang and there lies the problem of misinterpretation as the heat and energy might lead to cataclysmic results.

The first phase of the experiment has already been conducted where two particle beams have been sent in both directions around the collider’s 27-kilometre underground chamber. Assurances on part of the scientists that any threat to humankind is unlikely have been largely overlooked by the people and especially the media. There is a suicide reported from Bhopal as a girl was disoriented because the opinion on this issue was clouded and she did not get the required transparency and for that the media is responsible to a great extent.


Again pujas were performed and got a better coverage than the actual experiment conducted. Further, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued directives to the channels so that people are not misled. Instead of being worried about the fact that this might lead to the end of this world we should be proud of the fact that humankind will unfold so many mysteries of the universe and this experiment surely has some validity, otherwise such an astronomical amount would not have been at stake. We should feel proud of the fact that there are 200 Indian scientists associated with this experiment. We should really move ahead and try and understand the facts and nuances of this experiment otherwise it will definitely mark the doomsday for science.