These days, when the media are constantly talking about economic problems and euphorically celebrating the success of Spanish football at the European Cup, I would like to highlight other news, actually scientific news that have been of great importance for humanity, such as the discovery of the Higgs particle.
The truth is that I do not understand much about these extensive studies, but I have read several articles about them with enormous interest.
The same theoretical physicist Peter Higgs, now aged 83, who in the 60s, based on previous work, proposed this theory to explain the origin of the mass and in whose honor this particle is named, said the day the news was made public: “I am extremely impressed by what you have achieved. Congratulations to everyone involved in this incredible achievement and it´s been a joy to live to know it”.
The so-called “God particle”, a boson, refers to the ultimate nature of the components and basic interaction of the physical world. This discovery is not an ultimate target, on the contrary, the beginning of a project to explain the universe.
Cayetano López, general manager of the “Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas” (CIMAT) said: “Yesterday, 3 July 2012, a historic discovery was announced which has been a giant step in understanding the physical world, and surely its analysis will lead us to explore the nature of the universe, its properties and history”.
This conquest has been an immense labor of international research and a contribution that will bear fruit in the future.
I have always admired researchers and the outstanding values that support their work, for example, their patient perseverance, their unfailing hope and dedication, their teamwork ability … , so this event is not an exception.
Science, in any of its specializations, is a path of no return and we must continue to invest in it even in times of economic crisis.
Countries that invest in science are always in the vanguard of development and their citizens will always be the first to enjoy its magnificent benefits.
