The Culture of Exploratory Experimentation at CERN and the Future Colliders

TL;DR

This paper examines the historical culture of exploratory experimentation at CERN and discusses how this influences the development and debate surrounding future collider projects, emphasizing the importance of sound foundations.

Contribution

It provides a historical perspective on CERN's experimental culture to inform future collider debates and avoid common pitfalls.

Findings

CERN's experimental culture has historically fostered innovation.

Debates on future colliders should build on sound historical foundations.

Understanding CERN's culture can guide future large-scale physics projects.

Abstract

We have become witnesses, as of late, to the development of an expansive and fertile debate regarding the implementation of future colliders, both within the confines of the scientific community, as well as outside of them. We consider a debate of this sort as imperative for such important research projects, but we also hold that they should develop upon sound foundations, avoiding specific pitfalls and biased tendencies that form a metaphorical minefield around them. Within this context, we will attempt to contribute to this particular discussion by highlighting a historical aspect regarding the issue at hand