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 2 months ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon_core
frunch@lemmy.world 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months ago
Anyone who hasn’t read Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman, go check it out
ExtremeUnicorn@feddit.org 2 months ago
Richard Feynman
frunch@lemmy.world 2 months 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 2 months ago
Fermi
OpenStars@piefed.social 2 months 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 2 months ago
8.9cm diameter, 6.2kg. Says a lot.
abcd@feddit.org 2 months ago
I can’t even imagine something so small being so dense that it weighs 6,2kg.
FalschgeldFurkan@lemmy.world 2 months ago
Thanks 🙂