Episode description
Episode description
The goal of this episode is to answer the question, “Today, in 2025, where are we at with this measurement problem?”It has plagued the physics community since the advent of quantum mechanics. It conceals the deepest truths about our existence, and it will fundamentally alter our paradigm on reality once solved.
The measurement problem is the idea that quantum systems exist in superposition, as a “wave function”, and then collapse into a definite state once measured. This blows open the door to innumerable exciting possibilities, even some that could verify what many spiritual & esoteric traditions have imparted on us throughout the ages, regarding the mental nature of the universe.
Do we consciously collapse wave functions into the reality we experience?
Are there subtler properties like decoherence, gravity or field interactions that cause collapse?
Is there no collapse at all? Do we split off into parallel universes based on what parts of the wave function we decide to observe?
To address these questions, we’re going to first set the stage with several fundamental principles of quantum mechanics to build a framework of knowledge:
-Bell’s Theorem
-Wave-Particle Duality
-The Double Slit Experiment
-Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle
-The Schrödinger Equation & Schrödinger's Cat
Then, we’ll walk through the leading theories on the measurement problem to bring you up to speed:
-The Copenhagen Interpretation
-Quantum Bayesianism (QBism)
-De Broglie-Bohm (Pilot-Wave) Interpretation
-Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI)
-Objective Collapse Interpretations
-Decoherence Interpretations
-Relational & Transactional Interpretations
To be clear, it’s called the measurement “problem” because it’s not solved. We can’t jump to conclusions about consciousness just yet, however, if you put any stock into spiritual wisdom, I feel that we may be able to infer what the outcome is going to be. Once we have a definitive answer, our understanding of the nature of reality will fundamentally change forever.
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