“First you forget names. Then you forget faces. Then you forget to zip your fly up. Then you forget to zip your fly down.”–George Burns on old age.
And you thought I was dead.
Cosmic Quote #119
October 17, 2022 by 1 Comment
“A rising tide lifts all boats.”–popular stock market axiom
“At low tide, everything stinks.”–my apropos corollary to the above axiom, considering current markets
Need I say more? To all those young meme stock investors out there: welcome to the real world.
Cosmic Quote #118
February 25, 2022 by Leave a Comment
“If the technological Singularity can happen, it will.”–Vernor Vinge
Ray Kurzweil might throw a fit over this.
Cosmic Quote #117
October 12, 2021 by Leave a Comment
“On Halloween, the parents send their kids out dressed like me.”–Rodney Dangerfield
Poor Rodney. Seventeen years dead and still no respect. Trick or Treat!
Conjecture #5: Quantum Solipsism (Part two)
January 2, 2015 by 14 Comments
“I’m not afraid of death. I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”–Woody Allen
I conjecture: In a Many Worlds quantum multiverse, each individual consciousness represents a distinctly different universe.
Part Two: Quantum suicide and quantum immortality
Warning: Professional stunt blogger. Closed course. Do not attempt at home.
To recap where we left off in our last episode, the first part of Conjecture #5 suggested that, in a universe where the Many Worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics holds sway, each conscious entity represents its own distinct universe. I called this Quantum Solipsism. This differs somewhat from Conjecture #4, which suggested that in a universe governed, at least philosophically, by the Copenhagen interpretation, our consciousness represents a composite of all the potential, but not real, universes. This brings us to part two of Conjecture #5.
Quantum Immortality
Bold notions can sometimes breed extreme potential consequences. When Hugh Everett posited the Many Worlds interpretation of quantum weirdness in 1954, he didn’t just espouse it, he lived it. He believed that in a world where every sub-atomic event splits off into a real alternate universe for every possible quantum outcome, that one’s own consciousness would always survive in some of them. Quantum Immortality. So he ate, drank and smoked himself to an early death–at least in the universe of everyone reading this post–by the age of 51. His son expressed anger over his father’s failure to take care of himself. His wife initially did not comply with his wishes to have his ashes disposed of in the trash, though eventually she did. You think his views are extreme? Or did he live on forever in a never ending series of alternate universes? Consider this: the quantum view of the second law of thermodynamics is purely a statistical one. The reason all the air molecules in a room never seem to migrate to one corner is purely a matter of probability. There are staggering orders of magnitude more ways for them to be relatively evenly distributed. But if every possible combination of such molecules actually exists as a real entity, then somewhere there is a universe where you suffocated last night because the air molecules in your bedroom did exactly that while you slept. And somewhere, there is a universe where Hugh Everett’s ashes reassembled themselves and he woke up in a dumpster.
Quantum Suicide
This brings us to the ultimate in extreme ideas. Quantum Suicide. Originally conceived by Hans Morovec in 1987 and further developed by Max Tegmark, it is a thought experiment designed to prove once and for all if the Many Worlds interpretation of Quantum Mechanics is correct. If you recall from my Quantum Weirdness 101-107 series, the Copenhagen interpretation sees the cat as neither dead, nor alive, until an intelligent observer intervenes. The Many Worlds interpretation, sees the the creation of two separate universes, one each for a dead cat and a live cat, and the observer only finds out which one he is in when he looks in the box. The quantum suicide gun re-creates the Schrodinger’s Cat experiment from the point of view of the cat. Theoretically, it could prove the many world’s interpretation, though there are a couple of hitches. If Many Worlds holds true, the subject would be the only one it would be proved to; if it does not hold true, the subject would be dead, period. See the video below for a complete explanation, and as stated in the warning above, do not attempt this at home. I sure won’t. On the other hand, I can think of a few people I wish would try it…
(Video Credit: AliceandBobTV)
Conjecture #5–Quantum Solipsism (Part one)
December 24, 2014 by 4 Comments
Note: It has been so long since I published part I of this conjecture, I feel the need to refresh my memory–let alone yours–before completing it with part II. You can catch up on all my cockamamie speculations by clicking on the “Millenmium Conjectures” category link to the right.
“Cogito Ergo Sum”–René Descartes
“What if god is our dream, and we’re his?”–Christian Bale as Jamie Graham in Empire of the Sun
I conjecture: In a Many Worlds quantum multiverse, each individual consciousness represents a distinctly different universe.
I’m pretty sure I do exist most of the time–with the possible exception of some Monday mornings. Exist Tee-shirts. http://www.zazzle.com/exist+tshirts
I once overheard a friend explaining the multitude of religious beliefs to her young daughter in following manner.
She said, “everyone believes something different, and everyone is right!”
Really? This seems to be the ultimate illogical statement in the illogical realm of religious beliefs. If everybody believes something different, it seems to me infinitely more likely that everyone is wrong. I won’t get into the implications for religious beliefs in this conjecture, mainly because I don’t care. Suffice to say that stretched to an outre extreme, this conjecture does suggest a manner in which everyone could be right. It’s always fascinated me how different individuals could be so certain of world views that are so diametrically opposed. Of course, one can tie that to cultural and cognitive differences resulting in seemingly different worlds. But then maybe we’re all just be living in our own distinct quantum universes.
At any rate, if Conjecture #4 was a possible ontological extension of The Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum weirdness, the current conjecture–#5–clearly emanates from The Many Worlds Theory.
Let’s be clear on one thing. In my own head, I’m sitting on the fence between Copenhagen and Many Worlds…a kind of quantum superposition, simultaneously believing both. But let’s get to the heart of the matter before I get too far ahead of myself.
What, exactly, is solipsism? The brief dictionary description is simple enough: it’s the notion that only the self exists, or can be proven to exist. Taken to the limit, it can result in a second definition: extreme self-absorption and egoism.
I don’t buy this and am not suggesting it. While I’m not 100% certain of anything, external or internal, I still believe that you exist and our interactions do influence each other. We may be in separate parallel universes, but these planes of existence overlap, in much the same way that these universes interfere with each each other on the quantum level. (It’s worth noting that the conjecture wording says “distinct different” universe and not “distinctly separate.”) But the fact remains: if The Many Worlds theory holds true the notion of quantum solipsism in some form must be taken seriously. It’s as if our observations roll the quantum dice and influence which course through the multiverse each individual consciousness takes. This notion will be the subject of conjecture #6, though at the rate I am going, this may take place a long, long time from now in a galaxy far, far away. For more on solipsism including more detailed and nuanced description of it, and its various sub-categories, go here.
In the second part of this conjecture, I’ll deal with two very disturbing and controversial extensions of a “strong” quantum solipsism world view. Quantum suicide and quantum immortality. You’ll need to hold on to your metaphysical hats for this one.
And if you don’t get any of this, don’t worry. I’m just impressed that I used “ontological” in a sentence.
Cheers,
Conjecture #5–Quantum Solipsism (Part one)
November 16, 2013 by 10 Comments
“Cogito Ergo Sum”–René Descartes
“What if god is our dream, and we’re his?”–Christian Bale as Jamie Graham in Empire of the Sun
I conjecture: In a Many Worlds quantum multiverse, each individual consciousness represents a distinctly different universe.
I’m pretty sure I do exist most of the time–with the possible exception of some Monday mornings. Exist Tee-shirts. http://www.zazzle.com/exist+tshirts
I once overheard a friend explaining the multitude of religious beliefs to her young daughter in following manner.
She said, “everyone believes something different, and everyone is right!”
Really? This seems to be the ultimate illogical statement in the illogical realm of religious beliefs. If everybody believes something different, it seems to me infinitely more likely that everyone is wrong. I won’t get into the implications for religious beliefs in this conjecture, mainly because I don’t care. Suffice to say that stretched to an outre extreme, this conjecture does suggest a manner in which everyone could be right. It’s always fascinated me how different individuals could be so certain of world views that are so diametrically opposed. Of course, one can tie that to cultural and cognitive differences resulting in seemingly different worlds. But then maybe we’re all just be living in our own distinct quantum universes.
At any rate, if Conjecture #4 was a possible ontological extension of The Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum weirdness, the current conjecture–#5–clearly emanates from The Many Worlds Theory.
Let’s be clear on one thing. In my own head, I’m sitting on the fence between Copenhagen and Many Worlds…a kind of quantum superposition, simultaneously believing both. But let’s get to the heart of the matter before I get too far ahead of myself.
What, exactly, is solipsism? The brief dictionary description is simple enough: it’s the notion that only the self exists, or can be proven to exist. Taken to the limit, it can result in a second definition: extreme self-absorption and egoism.
I don’t buy this and am not suggesting it. While I’m not 100% certain of anything, external or internal, I still believe that you exist and our interactions do influence each other. We may be in separate parallel universes, but these planes of existence overlap, in much the same way that these universes interfere with each each other on the quantum level. (It’s worth noting that the conjecture wording says “distinct different” universe and not “distinctly separate.”) But the fact remains: if The Many Worlds theory holds true the notion of quantum solipsism in some form must be taken seriously. It’s as if our observations roll the quantum dice and influence which course through the multiverse each individual consciousness takes. This notion will be the subject of conjecture #6, though at the rate I am going, this may take place a long, long time from now in a galaxy far, far away. For more on solipsism including more detailed and nuanced description of it, and its various sub-categories, go here.
In the second part of this conjecture, I’ll deal with two very disturbing and controversial extensions of a “strong” quantum solipsism world view. Quantum suicide and quantum immortality. You’ll need to hold on to your metaphysical hats for this one.
And if you don’t get any of this, don’t worry. I’m just impressed that I used “ontological” in a sentence.
Cheers,
Time Out: Possibilianism
October 1, 2013 by 18 Comments
“Our reality depends on what our biology is up to.”–David Eagleman
“What a life in science really teaches you is the vastness of our ignorance.”–David Eagleman
Note: Regular followers of this blog will have noted that I avoid discussions of religion and faith issues herein. There is a reason for this: I am not interested in discussing them. Anyway, if you have read many of my posts you will likely have figured out where I stand on this by now. However, I am making an exception with this post for a specific reason. Possiblianism is to faith, what these Millennium Conjectures are to physics and metaphysics. I am speculating on what might be the answers to unknown questions, based on what we do know about physics and cosmology–all the while keeping an open mind and not drawing any absolute conclusions.
In between theism and atheism lies a vast limbo generally referred to as agnosticism. While the dictionary definition of agnostic is someone who believes the answer to the question of god’s existence and/or the meaning of life is unknowable, the term is often used more broadly. The agnostic may be undecided. The agnostic may not care and consider the question irrelevant. Some point to such individuals and say they are just too wishy-washy to make up their minds. The common thread among all of these, though, is that the agnostic sees no firm proof either way. Along comes Possibilianism, which might be seen as a sort of proactive form of agnosticism.
The term Possibilianism was coined and defined by neuro-scientist and author David Eagleman, in discussion of his book, Sum: 40 Tales from the Afterlife. When asked by an NPR interviewer whether he was a theist or atheist, Eagleman replied that he considers himself Possiblian. “I’m open to…ideas that we don’t have any way of testing right now,” he said. That is a good way of explaining what my Millennium Conjectures are as well.
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I’ve read Sum, which is a compilation of 40 possible scenarios for what happens when we die; none of these scenarios are typical religious views of heaven or hell,
or atheist views of eternal nothingness. Many of the scenarios seem over-the-top bizarre. Except when you stop to think about it. None of them are really any more preposterous than what most religions already believe. But all of them do have rather strong moral or philosophical points to them; they are all excellent fodder for contemplation. At any rate, it was a best seller that received rave reviews from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, The Observer and The Los Angeles Times.
Below is a short You Tube discussion of the concept by Eagleman. There are much longer ones available if you have the time and inclination. As for my ever getting to conjecture #5, I think I’m finally done with the preliminaries, so, yes, it’s a possibility!
Conjecture #4: Quantum Consciousness
March 28, 2013 by 25 Comments
“You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometime, well you just might find, you get what you need.”–The Rolling Stones (Jagger/Richards)
“I’m-a get medieval on your ass.”–Marcellus Wallace (character, Pulp Fiction)
I conjecture: In a quantum multiverse, one’s consciousness is a composite of the many worlds.
You’ve been warned folks: I’m-a get metaphysical on your asses. What’s worse, it’s a personal, almost solipsistic metaphysics. Hell, it’s my blog, why can’t I? I might also add that the next couple of conjectures will be the most controversial, and to some extent they might contradict each other. Consider it an appropriate quantum superposition–both simultaneously half true.
Few subjects in the sciences are as controversial as the notion of quantum consciousness, as it meets at the junction of theoretical physics and cognitive psychology, and manages to merge the two phenomena that puzzle scientists the most. Oh, we understand what quantum mechanics is in terms of what it does, but have no freakin’ idea how and why it does it. You can say pretty much the same for consciousness.
Credit: http://www.savagechickens.com
The concept of quantum consciousness is nothing all that new. Without getting too technical–because hey, then I wouldn’t understand it either–the notion of a quantum mechanical basis for human consciousness was first directly proposed by Roger Penrose, in his 1989 book, The Emperor’s New Mind. Built on his earlier work with Stuart Hammerhoff, Penrose asserted that the human mind can perform functions that are not computable and could only arise from quantum superpositions occurring within the brain. Max Tegmark, an MIT cosmologist with no shortage of his own controversial ideas, became the most vocal opponent of this concept, for reasons I won’t go into here, as this is not exactly what I am advocating. Or maybe it is.
What I am advocating, whether the mind is a quantum computer or not, is that our conscious experience represents a composite of all the universes, or potential universes suggested by quantum theory. The distinction between potential and actual alternate universes implies the distinction between the Copenhagen and Many Worlds interpretations of quantum mechanics. And the former seems to make more sense in concert with this conjecture, as it asserts that there simply is no objective reality on the sub-atomic level until we measure it; there are, effectively, only statistical probabilities. From that it would be easy enough to make the philosophical assertion that our consciousness is essentially a composite of all the possibilities.
But it might not be. As we only appear to be conscious in one reality at a time, it is certainly within the realm of feasibility to assert that consciousness is a composite in the Many Worlds scenario as well. If the Many Worlds interpretation is willing to accept that these universes can interact with each other on the sub-atomic level to produce the wave interference pattern described in Quantum Weirdness 101, why not accept that our consciousness does the same thing? Therefore, consciousness would be a composite across actual, physically real worlds. David Deutsch, in his book The Fabric of Reality, makes the case that the quantum multiverse is the enabler of free will; from this I would infer he means consciousness as well. But the Many Worlds interpretation suggests something perhaps darker and more sinister, even frightening. I’m bound to get flamed to no end for even bringing it up–it will be the subject of Conjecture #5. I call it quantum solipsism.
My bottom-line position on the composite consciousness conjecture: It’s a strong possibility. I see evidence of it in my own life; but it would take a volume, let alone a blog post, to fully recount. The best way to sum it up? The Rolling Stones quote above. It seems I rarely get exactly what I want, but often get what I need, and just in the nick of time. What? You say you don’t get what you need? Well, read the next conjecture. It seems that may not be my problem!
Below, Stuart Hammerhoff discusses the notion of quantum consciousness and related issues.
Millennium Conjecture #3: The Future (Part Two)
November 16, 2012 by 6 Comments
I Conjecture: Every Possible Future Exists
Part Two: Quantum Mechanics and The Future
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”–Alan Kay
Note: In case you had not surmised it, the most literal title for this conjecture would be “Every Physically Possible Future of Our Universe Exists.” There is probably not a future in our universe where the laws of physics will change to allow Harry Potter to cast a patronus spell on demontors.
Inventing the quantum future at NASA
Alan Kay’s proposition suggests a philosophical viewpoint that emerges from this conjecture. But for a better quote to describing its why and wherefore, I harken back to the E.B. White words from Conjecture #2. Everything that is not forbidden is mandatory. It all boils down to Quantum Mechanics. Many physicists have latched on to this notion; given enough time, every physically possible combination of matter and energy is bound to occur. It’s all just a matter of probability. That said, there are clearly at least two distinct ways of looking at it, depending on which interpretation of quantum mechanics you ascribe to: Copenhagen or Many Worlds. Although there are other interpretations, these two have garnered the lions share of advocates in the scientific community, and the notion that every possible future exists can emerge from either one of them. (See Quantum Weirdness 102 and 103 in this blog for an explanation of both ideas.)
The difference between the two as pertains to the future can easily be stated as virtual vs. actual. The Many Worlds interpretation asserts that every physical possibility will become an actual reality in an infinitely expanding sea of parallel universes. Every possible future is, or at least becomes, physically real. On the other hand, Copenhagen implies that there is no absolute physical reality until the quantum wave function breaks down, that there is only probability on the sub-atomic level until we observe it. From this we can infer that every possible future exists only as a statistical probability, and only the one we ultimately experience will actually exist.
So what’s the difference? There isn’t any. It makes no difference, from the practical experience of entities conscious in a single one of them, whether the futures are real or virtual; we can’t tell the difference. Every one of those physical realities is still a real possibility. The good news? There most certainly is a future out there where you win the lottery! The bad news? The only sure way to “invent” that future is to buy every possible number combination. I don’t recommend quitting your day job. 😦
Up next: The Conjecture of Composite Consciousness. (Warning: the next couple of conjectures will be quite a bit more radical and original than the those already stated herein. Actually, I’m warning myself. Anybody know where I can get some flame retardant garb?)
The Millennium Conjectures™ 