I have become more aware of particle accelerators, and the research that corresponds with them, due to all the news coverage of the LHC (and the conspiracy theories surrounding it). The goals and results of these experiments fascinates me. Creating conditions that last occurred mere microseconds after the Big Bang, that’s hot news; 7.2 trillion degrees (Fahrenheit) hot to be exact. Under these conditions particles behave differently than they do today, which allowed scientists to observe “symmetry-breaking” behavior of particles and an understanding of why there is a higher proportion of matter to anti-matter.
Technically, there should have been equal amounts of matter and anti-mater. Wikipedia states “mixing matter and antimatter would lead to the annihilation of both in the same way that mixing antiparticles and particles does.” Thankfully, there was not an equal amount of anti-matter and matter made, and the universe as we know it was created due to surplus of matter.
The thought of imperfection got me to think: how many technological innovations occurred because of imperfections? Because the scientific process did not go perfectly, and the unforeseen outcome spurred a creative thought?
I believe Brian Malow (http://www.sciencecomedian.com) stated innovation occurs with the line: “Huh, that’s funny…”
Now, in software development, the imperfect results that are detrimental to the outcome are bugs; however the imperfect results that do not influence the outcome are features, or at least soon will be for those who do not immediately dismiss them. Time constraints and budgets are what run most software development and constrain most avenues of creative thought. Not to say that innovation does not occur, quite the contrary! But there would be much more if computer science was treated as a science, and allowed to stop, ponder and create; rather than spec->design->program->test->debug->repeat.
No discussion about perfection can be complete without poking fun at the America’s obsession with perfection: weight, height, hair, mate, teeth, wedding, etc. Some will find perfection, and some will not; and it’s nothing to worry about! So, step back if you are focused on being “perfect” and take a tip from the universe; because if the universe was perfect, we might not exist.
Inspirational Source: USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2010-02-16-RHIC16_ST_N.htm)
