The Zen anti-interpretation of quantum mechanics (2021)
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The Zen anti-interpretation of quantum mechanics (2021)
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Re: The Zen anti-interpretation of quantum mechanics (2021)
#2What does it have to do with zen?
Re: The Zen anti-interpretation of quantum mechanics (2021)
#3Aka "Shut up and calculate" interpretation of QM. But yes, an interpretation is only needed because we need to square the theory with our intuition. Once we say that our intuition is hopelessly wrong, interpretation is not needed
Re: The Zen anti-interpretation of quantum mechanics (2021)
#4What does it have to do with zen?
One of Zen ideas is that thinking hides the true nature of the world since it is based on models and interpretations. So not doing interpretations is a step towards enlightenment.
Re: The Zen anti-interpretation of quantum mechanics (2021)
#5Aka "Shut up and calculate" interpretation of QM. But yes, an interpretation is only needed because we need to square the theory with our intuition. Once we say that our intuition is hopelessly wrong, interpretation is not needed
The essay doesn't agree.
> You shouldn’t confuse the Zen Anti-Interpretation with “Shut Up And Calculate.” The latter phrase, mistakenly attributed to Feynman but really due to David Mermin, is something one might say at the beginning of the path, when one is as a baby.
Re: The Zen anti-interpretation of quantum mechanics (2021)
#6This feels like a cop out.
Like sure, you can just do the math and get results and not worry about it. But what's the motivation here?
When you get down to it, he seems to believe many-worlds is true, BUT holds the philosophical position that you shouldn't, like, care. Because there's no practical benefit to caring; because it doesn't help you with the calculations.
But, hey, I still care! What the real nature of reality is is an interesting question! It's fun & satisfying to think about, even if has no direct physical practical implications. Plus, it can certainly have psychological implications, dramatically impacting how we feel about the things that have happened to us and life in general.
Re: The Zen anti-interpretation of quantum mechanics (2021)
#7Aka "Shut up and calculate" interpretation of QM. But yes, an interpretation is only needed because we need to square the theory with our intuition. Once we say that our intuition is hopelessly wrong, interpretation is not needed
The essay doesn't agree. > You shouldn’t confuse the Zen Anti-Interpretation with “Shut Up And Calculate.” The latter phrase, mistakenly attributed to Feynman but really due to David Mermin, is something one might say at the beginning of the path, when one is as a baby.
Finish the paragraph:
> but after years of study and effort you’ve returned to the situation of the baby, who just sees the thing for what it is.
Re: The Zen anti-interpretation of quantum mechanics (2021)
#8This feels like a cop out. Like sure, you can just do the math and get results and not worry about it. But what's the motivation here? When you get down to it, he seems to believe many-worlds is true, BUT holds the philosophical position that you shouldn't, like, care. Because there's no practical benefit to caring; because it doesn't help you with the calculations. But, hey, I still care! What the real nature of rea…
> Plus, it can certainly have psychological implications, dramatically impacting how we feel about the things that have happened to us and life in general.
Other than offering amusement by recreationally asking how many parallel universes can dance on the head of a pin, how should it affect anything?
It is no mercy to know there are kinder universes out there, for with them come those more cruel.
You are already a mote in the sea of infinity, what hope is offered by adding more dimensions to that ocean's depth?
Anyone wise enough to make it this far should know better than to presume that the best available theoretical model is actually the truth. We just use it out of pragmatic lack of a better one (which will likely someday come, but we are approaching the less fun side of the scientific knowledge sigmoid)
Re: The Zen anti-interpretation of quantum mechanics (2021)
#9This feels like a cop out. Like sure, you can just do the math and get results and not worry about it. But what's the motivation here? When you get down to it, he seems to believe many-worlds is true, BUT holds the philosophical position that you shouldn't, like, care. Because there's no practical benefit to caring; because it doesn't help you with the calculations. But, hey, I still care! What the real nature of rea…
And it is absurd to say it has no direct practical implications. We still don't know all of physics, and part of the reason is precisely because we're stuck in the wrong mindset regarding how nature works. Only a better insight on the true nature of the universe can give us the correct mathematical models.
Re: The Zen anti-interpretation of quantum mechanics (2021)
#10What does it have to do with zen?
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is.