When I began writing 'Electricity' in 1999, one of the influencing factors was an article I'd read on scientists wanting to recreate the big bang in 'safe' conditions. Ideal fodder, I thought, for a sci-fi flavoured tale.

Perhaps surprisingly, I don't really read any science fiction. I find science quite exciting and inspiring though, in an ill-informed sort of way. Certainly a "big bang" machine is the sort of big idea that demands a story written.



This week, scientists are finally preparing to throw the switch. Will the reaction flare out of control and destroy the planet, if not the cosmos itself? It remains to be seen. The likely (and hopefully accurate) answer is no, of course not. Either way, we should find out this Wednesday, September 10 2008.

From a fictional point of view, I quite like the idea of a circular history. The Big Bang creates the universe. Man evolves and tries to work out why. Man recreates the conditions for the Big Bang to find out. The resulting Big Bang (re)creates the universe. Man evolves and tries to work out why. Man recreates... etc ad nauseum.

If all goes wrong, we can but hope that Aston and company will be there to do something about it. Failing that, apparently the often dangerously inept Torchwood apparently will be.

For the nightmare scenario, courtesy of the Daily Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1052309/MICHAEL-HANLON-Are-going-die-Wednesday.html?printingPage=true (image taken from this article)

For a more scientific approach:
http://www.reuters.com/article/wtMostRead/idUSL846768920080908