An hypothesised gauge particle vamp
RARELY does news about physics make such a splash as has the probable discovery of that “goddam particle” often named after Peter Higgs (25 February). And rarely is the object of the news as abstract as the gauge particle for a hypothesised field. Journalistic attempts at a description for the layperson have, therefore, mined a rich seam of metaphors.
The picture of Higgs bosons as hangers-on flocking to the coolest person at a party (4 February) has made some outings, including evocations of Peter Higgs himself at the CERN press conference.
Roland Davis sends…
