CERN (Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire) is one of the world’s leading scientific research organizations. Find out why its work with subatomic particles poses a threat to Ken Wheeler and why his accusations about the organization are demonstrably false.
The world’s scientists view CERN, the Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (European Organization for Nuclear Research) as one of the world’s leading scientific research organizations. Founded in 1954 and based in Geneva, it focuses mainly on particle physics along with related scientific disciplines.
CERN’s mission is to study the fundamental structure of the universe and the laws of nature. Its scientists investigate topics like dark matter, particle properties, cosmology and other profound subjects.
CERN is a shining example of international cooperation, hosting scientists from more than 100 nations taking part in experiments and analysis. The institution fosters global collaboration among researchers as well as institutions.
Particle Accelerators are CERN’s Best-Known Devices
Particle accelerators are CERN’s best-known experimental devices. Scientists from around the globe use these accelerators to cause subatomic particles to collide at high energies, then study the resulting particles and interactions.
Since Ken Wheeler refuses to accept that subatomic particles exist, CERN poses a particular threat to his worldview. He calls the organization “Atomism’s Vatican.”
Of course, CERN personnel probably wouldn’t take much offence at this intended aspersion, because atomism isn’t evil. They might find the comparison with the Vatican odd, but since Switzerland is known for its religious tolerance, that vilification probably wouldn’t register either.
Ken Views CERN as Headquarters of a Malevolent Cult
Behind the Angry Photographer’s vitriol is a belief that atomism = materialism = atheism = nihilism = evil. Since CERN plays a central role in nuclear research, he jumps to the conclusion it’s the headquarters of a malevolent cult.
For the Theoria Apophasis host, science, philosophy and metaphysics are divided between two opposing schools of thought. These are the atomists and the etherealists.
Plato was an etherealist, while his rival Epicurus was an atomist. Plato believed in an afterlife, while Epicurus didn’t.
Since Ken Wheeler is firmly on team Plato and doesn’t want to die, he views atomism as depraved. What does this have to do with CERN? Nothing whatsoever, but it’s the basis of his rejection of the organization’s work.
Large Hadron Collider
CERN’s most celebrated facility is the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). It’s the world’s largest and highest-energy particle collider. It lies inside a 27-kilometre circular tunnel beneath the France-Switzerland border, close to Geneva.
The LHC played a central role in the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012. Leon Lederman, who received a Nobel prize in physics, coined the term “God particle” to describe how elusive and significant the Higgs boson was, and not for religious reasons.
The media picked up on the phrase, and before long the term God particle became a household word, to the chagrin of most particle physicists. The Angry Photographer has exploited this nickname to reinforce his claim that particle physics is a diabolical “cult of bumping particles.”
Statue of Hindu God Shiva at CERN Headquarters
As further proof of his claim, the Theoria Apophasis host points to a statue of the Hindu god Shiva at CERN’s headquarters. Shiva is performing the cosmic dance of creation, preservation and destruction to represent energy, dynamism and the interconnectedness of the universe.
Kentucky Ken wrongly asserts that the statue is a reference to Robert Oppenheimer’s quotation of Shiva from the Bhagavad-Gita, “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” Oppenheimer made the reference while watching the detonation of the first atomic bomb.
Ken Wheeler falls at the first fence on this point, mistakenly claiming that the quote comes from the Rig Veda, when it actually comes from the Bhagavad-Gita. More importantly, the statue was a gift from India, and not a reference to Oppenheimer quoting scripture a decade before CERN was founded.
Accelerates Protons and Electrons to Higher Energy States
As their name implies, particle accelerators use electromagnetic fields to accelerate charged particles. The particles are usually protons or electrons, and they reach higher speeds and energy states.
This poses a problem for the Angry Photographer, because he claims electrons don’t exist and that protons are synonymous with hydrogen atoms. He dismisses the very idea of a charge-carrying particle.
As we note under Matter – Why Ken’s Wrong, the existence of charged subatomic particles is a proven scientific fact. J.J. Thompson discovered the electron in 1897, Ernest Rutherford discovered the proton in 1913 and James Chadwick discovered the neutron in 1932.
Discovered Particles from Experiments, Not Abstract Math
Despite the Theoria Apophasis host’s claims, these scientists made these particle discoveries through direct observation and experimentation, not from abstract, mathematical theories. There’s no question subatomic particles exist.
As part of Ken Wheeler’s obsession with conspiracy theories, he tries to link CERN with the World Economic Forum (WEF). He does this because he believes the WEF is part of a sinister cabal that secretly rules the world.
The only evidence he provides for this notion is that CERN is mentioned on the WEF website. It’s not. The WEF funds a number of centres on topics like energy and materials, and cybersecurity, but none of these are connected with CERN in any way.
WEF and CERN Not Connected, WEF Not a Conspiracy
It wouldn’t be surprising if CERN and the WEF did interact on some level. They’re both European-based and they both encourage better international cooperation.
Even so, the two organizations are unrelated – one deals with science while the other deals with economics. Beyond that, since the WEF is not part of any diabolical plot, any connection that did exist would be irrelevant to the Angry Photographer’s claims that CERN is an evil cult.
CERN Advances Human Knowledge and Quality of Life
CERN isn’t connected to philosophical debates about atoms and the ether among assorted dead Greeks. It isn’t a cult, and it doesn’t worship the God particle or Shiva.
Most importantly, CERN has advanced human knowledge and contributed to everyone’s quality of life. Even the World Wide Web the Theoria Apophasis host uses to distribute his YouTube videos began at CERN with the work of Sir Tim Berners Lee.
As always, none of Ken Wheeler’s claims on this topic contain even a particle of truth. Viewers should accelerate away from them if they want to reach a higher knowledge level.
Ken’s Evidence
Ken Wheeler is Wrong 
You should look into where Ken came into so much money in the past 3 years to purchase land and high end solar generators, guns, and survival food all the while claiming poverty while he pushes Eastern European propaganda. He suffers from mental disability that makes him easily manipulated and useful as a tool. He is highly gullible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great suggestion! Thanks!
LikeLike
It’s funny you say that but the numbers were beginning to look a little odd for me. He made great play of selling off old lenses and camera while retaining an estimated $25,000 USD worth of Fuji medium format gear. Throw in his constant references to the high end / industrial strength sewing machines and that a lot of money.
I never begrudge people working hard and earning a living but as he constantly pleads poverty one of his income streams be it product photography / leatherwork /YouTube income seems to be providing enough funds to live the fantasy “survival” gear.
Some of it such as solar panels and power banks aren’t that expensive but then he boasts about how much other equipment he has (often many of exactly the same models) and something is off.
Finally, many thanks to David Morton Rintoul for his wonderful site. I share on Twitter. This site deserves a much wider audience and recently, David (ahem, like Ken) had been working 7 days a week to bring us fresh content
LikeLike
Don’t forget his Toyota Tacoma truck. Thanks for the very kind words, Tom Co. I don’t have to spend seven days a week on the Ken’s Wrong site. It practically writes itself. Also, Ken’s work is so repetitive that he rarely says anything that warrants a fresh post.
LikeLike
Ah yes, the Tacoma and he runs two properties, maybe three if you include the one his parents are living in. That’s all adding up to quite a sizeable portfolio for someone continually claiming poverty.
As a photographer I do know that if I had some good photography skills and approx. $25,000 worth of medium format gear I would be a busy chap.
Yet Ken, who claims to work seven days a week is broke and a begging…?!
Curioser and curioser
LikeLike