IMO a made up "artist conception" picture on an article like this would have been perfectly appropriate, we've seen worse (think of the whole NEOM thingy).
1, Reading the Headline on HN) "Man, this is probably going to be something more practical, but I wish they were superconducting go-karts or golf-carts to get around the facility in."
2, Reading the article) "...okay, I was right? Kinda? Huh. Something feels off. Wait a-"
3, Remembering the Date) "FUCK. OK, CERN got me. Good one. Still want a superconducting kart though."
Bonjour, and bienvenue to the Black Mesa - pardon, la Mesa Noire - Établissement de Recherche. Please keep your hands inside le tramway at all times, and do try not to provoquer une cascade de résonance. Merci.
It took me a while to notice the first april, but
actually the image was too unbelievable. But if
such karts were possible, I bet the guys at CERN
would absolutely use it. And then post on youtube.
We know how things happen in "professional research".
Please bro. Just one more particle collider. This one will solve science. The last one wasn’t big enough. Please keep it in desirable real estate though.
Each bigger one has in fact solved more of physics, after being built precisely because there was a good theoretical case for a higher energy collider being helpful.
As somebody slightly better informed (physics degree, following popular science): It really isn't looking great for something that could be found at a small multiple of current energies, but not at current energies.
No of course not, they have Mario guys running around in karts doing maintenance of hyper complex system with wrenches. No physics can resist Mario's wrench, thats how we move humanity forward
This got me. Thought it was real, busted out laughing when I read the project leads name. It still didn't click.
Small clue here too, maybe more subtle:
> explained school director, Rosalina Pfirsich, looking up from her storybook
Pfirsich in German means Peach, as in Princess Peach :D
Also "project leader Mario Idraulico" (i.e. "hydraulic" in Italian) or "Safety coordinator Luigi Fratello" ("Brother Luigi").
There is also ”project leader Mario Idraulico”
I read the title and thought CERN + Mario Kart and am giggling.
Man I fell for it until I saw your post. In fact, I was just about to post what the man's name means in Italian.
I was even going to point out how ironic it is that the mans first name and last name fit together so well.
In my defense I only got as far as idraulico and missed the "Mamma mia, they're super!"
ah! got me too!
For me it was easier. While I forgot it was first april, the image was too outrageous. Looked like AI-generated slop.
They may have had more success with another image. AI slop made us lazy.
IMO a made up "artist conception" picture on an article like this would have been perfectly appropriate, we've seen worse (think of the whole NEOM thingy).
Ah, the stages of a good April Fool's nerd joke:
1, Reading the Headline on HN) "Man, this is probably going to be something more practical, but I wish they were superconducting go-karts or golf-carts to get around the facility in."
2, Reading the article) "...okay, I was right? Kinda? Huh. Something feels off. Wait a-"
3, Remembering the Date) "FUCK. OK, CERN got me. Good one. Still want a superconducting kart though."
We need followup post exactly 365 days later describing first karting accident inside CERN
Exactly
CERN Research Facility, Geneva. Subject: Gordon Freeman, Male, Age 27
Gérard Hommelibre?
Bonjour, and bienvenue to the Black Mesa - pardon, la Mesa Noire - Établissement de Recherche. Please keep your hands inside le tramway at all times, and do try not to provoquer une cascade de résonance. Merci.
I would pay stupid money for a CERN Tunnel Rainbow Road track DLC.
Happy April Fools Day!
As Alumni, the tables outside R1 are prime for getting ideas, with some help from fermented barley, especially after work during Summertime.
I always look forward to CERN's April fools jokes!
I can't believe people are still doing this
This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four.
-- Mark Twain, "Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar"
How dare people have fun.
You must be a real hoot at parties.
I really miss Think Geek :-(
When they later actually sold the t-shirt they had previously presented as an April Fools joke? That was pretty cool.
I still had a Timmy the Monkey sticker on the lid of my kitchen bin up until a couple of years ago.
oh my, I should really visit one day, I'm not even that far from CERN
They do some good tours. They are first come/first serve, so show up in the morning for the best chance to get a place.
if you reached c with such a cart - nevermind the heat from air friction, would you be able to breath from a rebreather?
Right on time! "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" released today.
> Each kart is turbo-boosted by 64 superconducting engines,” explains project leader Mario Idraulico
I guess we can now call you Mario 'Kart' Idraulico.
Oh wait.
Thank you CERN, that was a smart one.
Since I didn't get the name reference either, here is a link for those who want a hint: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idraulico
Nice, I didn't get it.
I just realized "Kyouryuu" is Japanese for dinosaur.
And Pfirsich is of course Peach.
As an homage, Supertuxkart might add a CERN-LHC inspired level with a wormhole as a secret path.
high temperature super conductors my beloved
It took me a while to notice the first april, but actually the image was too unbelievable. But if such karts were possible, I bet the guys at CERN would absolutely use it. And then post on youtube.
We know how things happen in "professional research".
Please bro. Just one more particle collider. This one will solve science. The last one wasn’t big enough. Please keep it in desirable real estate though.
Each bigger one has in fact solved more of physics, after being built precisely because there was a good theoretical case for a higher energy collider being helpful.
I’m ignorant. It’s a meme about their optics being terrible after steam ran out for 90s science optimism.
As somebody slightly better informed (physics degree, following popular science): It really isn't looking great for something that could be found at a small multiple of current energies, but not at current energies.
Meh joke considering this was paid on public money.
Same as choosing to spend xxx,xxx USD to have .cern when using subdomains would have worked too (and caused less validation / compatibility issues).
They got the intern to write a funny post. Probably took them an hour and it drums up a bit of good press for the Hi-Lumi LHC.
Money well spent if you ask me.
As a tax payer in one of the member states, I approve of this joke.
The Web is a side project of CERN, they should have gotten a comped top-level domain by rights.
Is this an april fools joke? The title image looks so over-the-top that I really can't tell if it's a joke or not
No of course not, they have Mario guys running around in karts doing maintenance of hyper complex system with wrenches. No physics can resist Mario's wrench, thats how we move humanity forward
There is a Luigi on the team as well. How it can't be true?
And Yoshi. And Pfirsich, which is Peach in German
Fratello. Must be a bro.
CTRL+F "safety and health"