Over at The Smithsonian, an article about ten apocalypses that didn't happen. Very ironic in view of the Copenhagen conference on climate change. I like the comment in the tenth scenario about the possibility of the Large Hadron Collider creating a black hole which will swallow us up: "In an infinite universe, even things of low probability must occur (actually infinitely often). However, by that same standard," Jagannathan adds, "Quantum physics dictates that it is theoretically possible to turn on your kitchen faucet and have a dragon pop out." And that explains why physicists (with the possible exception of those who are dragon-phobic) are not terribly worried.
Fans of The Hitch Hikers' Guide to the Galaxy will be familiar with the Infinite Probability Drive which does exactly that kind of thing.
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