> One has since acknowledged that they were simply too late, and Higgs agrees, "I think so, yes." The other two were invited to Cern in July last year when the particle's discovery was announced, and complained about being ignored by the press, but although he does say they "naturally felt a bit left out", he doesn't look too troubled.
One of the saddest part of this article. We often forget that a lot of geniuses are left in the dark just because they were not here first. But they might have very interesting stories to tell as well.
> But his reluctance to embrace the technological developments taking place in everyday life had nothing to do with incompetence. My dad, I tell him, is of the view that the more gadgets we have, the less we can think, and Higgs smiles and agrees: "I have a bit of that, too." His son gave him a mobile phone two months ago, but he is yet to make a call, and no one outside his family knows the number. "I resent being disturbed in this way. Why should people be able to interrupt me like that?" Because they like to be in touch?
Damn true, the more gadgets we have, the less we can think. I feel overwhelmed by technology these last few years. The only moment I can feel really in control is when I only take a few math papers with me and go do my laundry. No phone, no internet, no tv, no nothing...
> It is true he has never liked the popular nickname for his particle – "the God particle" – but not, as has been reported, because he doesn't want to offend religious sensibilities. If anything, his objection is the opposite. "For a start, I'm not a believer. Some people get confused between the science and the theology. They claim that what happened at Cern proves the existence of God. The church in Spain has also been guilty of using that name as evidence for what they want to prove."
> People write to him claiming the God particle was predicted in the Torah, the Qur'an and the Buddhist scriptures, which only makes him regret the nickname more, "Because it reinforces confused thinking in the heads of people who are already thinking in a confused way." He doesn't bother trying to change their minds. "If they believe that story about creation in seven days," he muses, "are they being intelligent?"
That last sentence, that's tactless. I like it.