Speed of Light - Law Broken?

Okay, before you get too excited, this has yet to be substantiated as fact. Here’s what we know so far.

A team of scientists from CERN have been conducting a series of experiments that apparently demonstrate that some subatomic particles travel faster then the speed of light.

Of course we all know that Albert Einstein created his theory of special relativity that states nothing in the universe can travel faster then the speed of light in a vacuum.

So, if the folks at CERN are correct, and after everything has been independently verified, what will this do to the laws of physics as we know them today?

I enjoy science fiction. One of the most important roles of science fiction, I believe, is to spark the imagination of future scientists. There have been documentaries showing that many of today’s inventors and scientists were encouraged from reading science fiction stories, or from the technology that appear in shows such as Star Trek.

Today there are scientists working on trying to create Holodecks and transporters. If science has finally proven that yes, the speed of light can be surpassed, will this open our minds to the viability of faster then light travel?

Granted we’re a long way off to start the construction of ships, but back in the 60’s when Captain Kirk first whipped out his communicator, I’m sure those watching were thinking, “Oh sure, like that will ever happen”.

Look at us now. The other day I had the entire family (five of us) in the car and I think every one of us was texting at the same time. If I had brought this up in the 60’s people would have thought me nutty.

The computer on the Starship Enterprise was stated to have the history of mankind in its database. Heck, with today’s technology a lot of what that Starship could do seems archaic to us now.

What’s my point for this latest ramble?

All I ask is that we should continue to keep an open mind when it comes to science. I tell my daughters that I don’t want to hear negative comments such as, “It can’t be done”, or “It’s impossible”.

I personally can’t wait to see what amazing inventions the future holds in store. It’s wild to see technology evolve right before our eyes.

Today most of us can’t imagine life without our smart-phones. Information and various devices at our fingertips.

In class last night I needed a calculator and the standard one on my phone could not do what I needed it to do. A few minutes later I had pulled down an awesome calculator from the app store that did everything I needed and looked fantastic! Un-freakin’ believable!

So stay-tuned for the verification of this discovery. Whether it proves to be true or not is irrelevant. The fact that for an instant we have all become open to the possibility that it could be true means that there is still hope.

Now if we can just figure out what the speed of dark is...