Americans Win 2006 Nobel Physics Prize

Davemania writes "CNN reports that the Nobel Prize in Physics has been award to John C. Mather and George F. Smoot for their contribution to the big-bang Theory." From the article: "Their work was based on measurements done with the help of the NASA-launched COBE satellite in 1989. They were able to observe the universe in its early stages about 380,000 years after it was born. Ripples in the light they detected also helped demonstrate how galaxies came together over time. 'The very detailed observations that the laureates have carried out from the COBE satellite have played a major role in the development of modern cosmology into a precise science,' the academy said in its citation." If you're interested, you can read a rundown on the prize-winning work (pdf) provided by the prize organization.

Re:Scientific hokum

[Anonymous Coward]

While on the topic of religion, with obviously a moderator out there sharing strong religious views (BTW:I dont think parent is flamebait, but rather insightful), Would they care to answer this:

If evangelical Christians are correct and Jesus will one day return - where will he be born?

I mean, will he be born in the USA? In what region? If he is born in Texas, will the people from Alabama 'recognise' him.

Will he have an affiliation with any particular church? If he has his own followers, will they all be treated as as a dangerous religious sect by the Government, or discounted by the the Southern Baptists as a loony and a fraud.

I have heard comment he could be born in Jerusalem - will he be Palestinian, or Israeli? Will American evangelical christians listen to what an Israeli has to say?

Will he just 'appear'. Would his sudden appearance could cause wide destabilization of order, and could he be detained 'for the peace of the people'. What if Jesus returned as a black woman?

What say you?

Re:what they did is impressive, don't get me wrong

[Mick Ohrberg]

I think understanding our origins is of tremendous use. You're right - it won't pay off tomorrow, but a better understanding of the world we live in is ultimately a good thing. Mankind is nothing if not curious. And self-destructive.

Re:Scientific hokum

[moore.dustin]

Im losing a bunch of mod points, but that is of no consequence. I marked it flaimbait, though I do agree with you 100%. Everything you said I find myself agreeing with, so that is not the issue. While you may think I am fibbing, I think this post shows that I do agree and I wanted that to be clear.

This discussion is not about religion or politics, but science. I am all or discussing those topics in another venue, but I like to read meaningful comments about the subject at hand. This is slashdot, where the comments are what makes the site. Comments about religion or outlandish politic remarks are things you expect to see on digg.

Again, I agree with you, but I hope you see where I was coming from, it was nothing personal at all. I just like to see comments about the subject that add to, and not distract from the subject.

George "There is an Intelligent Designer" Smoot

[cioxx]

Then, last week, American scientists announced the discovery of radiation patterns in space that may mark the beginning of time itself. Said astrophysicist George Smoot, leader of the research team: "If you're religious, it's like looking at God. The order is so beautiful and the symmetry so beautiful that you think there is some design behind it."

Whatever caused the rapid expansion of the universe following the Big Bang--the same forces caused tiny ripples. Because if you try to do something too fast, you shake a little. God might be the designer.

NASA's COBE satellite team discovered the predicted ripples in the cosmic background radiation. George Smoot, the team's leader, called these seeds for future galaxy superclusters "fingerprints from the Maker."

For science!

Re:Good think Nobel Prize isn't in US

[necro81]

Nobel Prize in Peace - George Bush, who freed millions of Iraqis from a brutal dictator.

You meant it in jest, but he has been nominated [bbc.co.uk]. I shit you not.

Re:Is America Still Investing in Nobels?

[Blighten]

Let's just try to build a fair society where everyone has an equal chance to succeed.

Well, I don't think it's fair that I'm much shorter than the average basketball player. This puts me at a disadvantage to compete for an NBA contract; it is unfair... granted this is a trivial example, however it's obvious that human traits (height, build, beauty, intelligence etc) vary through some distribution. Ignoring that distribution is what "No Child Left Behind" does.. though if it were implemented in a better way, there might be room for some leveling, while embracing the top part of the student cohort. However, its title would need to reflect this implementation.

Ensuring that everyone has an equal start sounds like a noble statement, but it contradicts a stratified society [wikipedia.org]. Someone has to be a graveyard gas station attendant, a garbage man etc. I think the misconception of equality is rooted by the phrase, "all men are created equal." The notion of equality referring that phrase refers to is fundamental rights as a citizen (or human). To argue that it should be applied to a socioeconomic model is the same as arguing that we need to chop off the legs of the tall NBA players to make them even; it's nonsensical.

Re:Is America Still Investing in Nobels?

[Ixne]

Ensuring that everyone has an equal start sounds like a noble statement, but it contradicts a stratified society. Someone has to be a graveyard gas station attendant, a garbage man etc. I think the misconception of equality is rooted by the phrase, "all men are created equal." The notion of equality referring that phrase refers to is fundamental rights as a citizen (or human).

Perhaps the problem is more that these jobs do not carry much respect with some people. But that's a problem with the psychological make-up of our society in general.