Jump to content

Hugh Everitt (on BBC4)

Mick Mac

By Mick Mac
in The Lounge

 Share

Recommended Posts

HAL9000

HAL9000

Posted
Posted

Ah yes - Hugh Everett. I've cited the Everett-Wheeler metatheory of Quantum Mechanics a few times in the Drawing Room thread "Is there a God?" I don't think many people understand it - you're not alone.


It's not really about parallel universes either. Bryce DeWitt called it the "many-worlds" interpretation, a more popular but still vague description of what is probably the most remarkable, mind-boggling and thought-provoking scientific theory ever proposed.

HAL9000

HAL9000

Posted
Posted

katie1997 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> quantum cars.


Thank you Katie - I was wondering how one might explain Hugh Everett?s meta-theory to a lay audience. Here are a couple of (admittedly, simplistic) analogies based on the two principal interpretations of Quantum Mechanics.


According to the Copenhagen Interpretation: an "Observer" in a quantum car would travel along all possible routes to every possible destination but would only "exist" at the single destination where the car crashes into something (i.e. the wave function collapses).


According to Hugh Everett's Interpretation: an "Observer" in a quantum car would travel along all possible routes and would come to "exist" at every possible destination as a superposition of his original self, with each of those selves having no knowledge of any of the other selves (i.e. the wave function does not collapse - the universe bifurcates).


Life, the universe and everything - it doesn?t get much weirder than that!

Ladymuck

Ladymuck

Posted
Posted

HAL9000 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Everyone knows entangled particles

> are complementary, not complimentary!


Hmmmm...purposeful and cunning misconstruction aside...I am surprised that an erudite programmable machine such as yourself should declare such a thing. May I suggest that, on this occasion at least, your - usually - rational thought has become clouded by that feisty temperament of yours.


My life has taken many directions in an immeasurable number of branching universes. Indeed, it will not have escaped your notice that at the last point of bifurcation - i.e. in this fork of the universe - I was destined to be a "staffie". As you know, each branch will have embarked on a different future completely independently of each other. As you - yourself - have alluded to above, under Everett's interpretation "I" will have come to "exist" at every possible destination as a superposition of [my] original self, with each of those selves having no knowledge of any of the other selves.


Therefore, whereas I may have been aware of the correct grammatical usage of "complimentary/complementary" whilst in a superposition in location X, it does not necessarily follow that I should then be similarly aware whilst in a superposition in an altogether different location - e.g. location Y.


However, I'm sure, you knew that.





*goes for a lie down*


STILL laughing BTW:))






.

katie1997

katie1997

Posted
Posted

]*member of lay audience looks confused*



Erm...shd I have put a smile thing at the end of my cars, mechanics. Is any of this thread relative, ha ha? that's in italics btw ;)


Anyway...did you hear the one about two electrons sitting on a park bench? No? Good, I'll leave it there then...


*goes back to reading 'bluffers guide to super-string theory'*


And at the same time..


*still laughing in another dimension*


And..


*concentrating on work*

Ladymuck

Ladymuck

Posted
Posted

pssstt...


pssstt...Katie...


*whispers so HAL9000 cannot hear*


It's all on Google...but don't say nuffink...cos HAL9000 finks me is clever innit...


Anyway, I'm just on my way out...intend grabbing a scoop of SCIC(TM)...shall I have an extra scoop on your behalf?



*tiptoes away everso quietly*


BTW, Quantum Mechanics = Quantum Cars...love it!! Utterly logical!(tu)

Ladymuck

Ladymuck

Posted
Posted

katie1997 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Btw, select the 'highlighter tool' and apply it to

> the top secret text below



Executed with due care and diligence.


Hopefully the information has now branched off to a parallel universe where it's interpretation will result in an entirely different outcome to our ?universe and where computers are now extinct. Indeed, computers have been replaced by Quantum Cars. I only pray that a superposition "Scoop" is in existence in readiness for the arrival of our superpositions.


I therefore hope to meet your superposition at Location X^/>Y in due course.


Laters.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Advertise Here

  • Latest Discussions

    • Angelina
      WARNING . Please feed the birds in your garden

      By Angelina · Posted

      Great shout. They do need the extra fat when it’s winter, but don’t use fat balls from April as they are dangerous for nestlings as the babies can choke on lumps of the fat. When it gets milder switch to suet pellets as they are harder and don’t melt (the grease is bad for feathers.    
    • malumbu
      WARNING . Please feed the birds in your garden

      By malumbu · Posted

      Rather alarmist. There is unlikely to be snow this week, but even if there is that is natural and wildlife adjust accordingly. There are fewer insects to eat due to what humans have done to the planet over the decades.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_in_insect_populations  In particular: Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Agricultural Chemicals: Climate Change: Pollution: Invasive Species: There is even a case for not feeding birds due to the spread of disease through feeders, greenfinch population was decimated.   https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/24/should-we-stop-feeding-birds-what-happens-if-we-do-and-does-it-spread-disease   I do feed the birds but keeping a watching eye on the evidence.   And I try to grow insect and bird friendly plants including attempts at a meadow.   There could also be an argument for not keeping cats as these may decimate bird populations.   https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/14/cats-kill-birds-wildlife-keep-indoors   You will need squirrel proof feeders and even then you may have the starlings and green squwaky things eating most of the food left out for small birds.  
    • Gardenman
      WARNING . Please feed the birds in your garden

      By Gardenman · Posted

      Apparently this year due to the weather there are fewer insects for the birds to eat. So please if you don’t usually buy fat balls & seeds to put out (in safe places to avoid the cats ) a plentiful supply . They really need it this year, especially with snow forecast later this week.    Thankyou 
    • NewWave
      Police Incident outside Rose Fish/Parade East Dulwich Roas

      By NewWave · Posted

      I hope she and the rider of the bike are ok. I feel its understandable that locals may be concerned when they see a road taped off and police presence.

East Dulwich Forum

Established in 2006, we are an online community discussion forum for people who live, work in and visit SE22.

Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...