That was a fascinating read! The 2 accidents surrounding it were very interesting to read about. They were both basic human mistakes that led to the ghastly consequences they unfortunately produced. The 2nd accident though, by Slotin–that was hubris. How could one have skirted such simple safety protocols? Dude was controlling a very veryvery powerful experiment with a screwdriver in his hand being all that stood between the team of scientists and a staggering amount of radiation… Then it slips! 👀
Whats even more terrible about the second one, is Feynman over there telling him he was a fucking idiot for doing it that way and he (Slotin) was going to get himself killed.
I think they were referring to it as “tickling the dragons tail” which certainly seems like a fitting description. It’s absolutely bonkers how much radiation exposure happened in that moment.
This is why we probably should be more careful when we do things that could potentially like, oh I dunno, open up a black hole here on Earth. I mean, it’s not like accidents never happen!! Oh wait… they DO!
OpenStars@piefed.social 1 month ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon_core
frunch@lemmy.world 1 month ago
That was a fascinating read! The 2 accidents surrounding it were very interesting to read about. They were both basic human mistakes that led to the ghastly consequences they unfortunately produced. The 2nd accident though, by Slotin–that was hubris. How could one have skirted such simple safety protocols? Dude was controlling a very very very powerful experiment with a screwdriver in his hand being all that stood between the team of scientists and a staggering amount of radiation… Then it slips! 👀
RamenJunkie@midwest.social 1 month ago
Whats even more terrible about the second one, is Feynman over there telling him he was a fucking idiot for doing it that way and he (Slotin) was going to get himself killed.
blockheadjt@sh.itjust.works 1 month ago
Anyone who hasn’t read Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman, go check it out
ExtremeUnicorn@feddit.org 1 month ago
Richard Feynman
frunch@lemmy.world 1 month ago
I think they were referring to it as “tickling the dragons tail” which certainly seems like a fitting description. It’s absolutely bonkers how much radiation exposure happened in that moment.
la508@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Fermi
OpenStars@piefed.social 1 month ago
This is why we probably should be more careful when we do things that could potentially like, oh I dunno, open up a black hole here on Earth. I mean, it’s not like accidents never happen!! Oh wait… they DO!
cabillaud@lemmy.world 1 month ago
8.9cm diameter, 6.2kg. Says a lot.
abcd@feddit.org 1 month ago
I can’t even imagine something so small being so dense that it weighs 6,2kg.
FalschgeldFurkan@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Thanks 🙂