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Physicists Create Quantum Link Between Photons That Don't Exist at the Same Time

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Re: Physicists Create Quantum Link Between Photons That Don't Exist at the Same Time

#2
At the risk of being "that guy," a few thoughts popped into my head after reading this article. I couldn't help but reflect on the possibility of us just completely misunderstanding how the universe works. It wouldn't be the first time in history. What if:

Our concept of time and matter is wrong, or our idea of quantum physics is interesting and useful, but ultimately wrong.

Perhaps I'm just a simpleton but part of me really wants to believe we're missing something fundamental that would make all of this so much easier to accept and understand.

Re: Physicists Create Quantum Link Between Photons That Don't Exist at the Same Time

#3
post #2

At the risk of being "that guy," a few thoughts popped into my head after reading this article. I couldn't help but reflect on the possibility of us just completely misunderstanding how the universe works. It wouldn't be the first time in history. What if: Our concept of time and matter is wrong, or our idea of quantum physics is interesting and useful, but ultimately wrong. Perhaps I'm just a simpleton but part of m…

You're only the ten millionth person to voice that desire. Sadly, the universe is not obligated to be intuitive. At this point we probably have to accept that the parts of the universe that we didn't evolve to understand are free to be as utterly weird as they want to be.

Re: Physicists Create Quantum Link Between Photons That Don't Exist at the Same Time

#4
post #2

At the risk of being "that guy," a few thoughts popped into my head after reading this article. I couldn't help but reflect on the possibility of us just completely misunderstanding how the universe works. It wouldn't be the first time in history. What if: Our concept of time and matter is wrong, or our idea of quantum physics is interesting and useful, but ultimately wrong. Perhaps I'm just a simpleton but part of m…

We're most certainly missing a lot of things. But quantum mechanics is in no way wrong. It may not be complete, but not wrong.

Ontologically, there is not reason for us not to discover other things about nature that are (more) fundamental.

Re: Physicists Create Quantum Link Between Photons That Don't Exist at the Same Time

#5
post #3
post #2

At the risk of being "that guy," a few thoughts popped into my head after reading this article. I couldn't help but reflect on the possibility of us just completely misunderstanding how the universe works. It wouldn't be the first time in history. What if: Our concept of time and matter is wrong, or our idea of quantum physics is interesting and useful, but ultimately wrong. Perhaps I'm just a simpleton but part of m…

You're only the ten millionth person to voice that desire. Sadly, the universe is not obligated to be intuitive. At this point we probably have to accept that the parts of the universe that we didn't evolve to understand are free to be as utterly weird as they want to be.

Sure, but what are the odds the universe fundamentally defies intuitive logic versus the odds our small brains currently can't see the full picture but in the meantime have invented insane (but cool) mathematical machinations? I guess it's unknowable.

Re: Physicists Create Quantum Link Between Photons That Don't Exist at the Same Time

#6
Does this work only in one direction? Is there any reason to see the first measurement as causal? Could the second measurement be interpreted as causal that then propagates backward in time?

I'm really trying to get at if the linear description of events in the article is just a convenient simplification, or if physicists thinks that there is time order here.

Re: Physicists Create Quantum Link Between Photons That Don't Exist at the Same Time

#7
post #2

At the risk of being "that guy," a few thoughts popped into my head after reading this article. I couldn't help but reflect on the possibility of us just completely misunderstanding how the universe works. It wouldn't be the first time in history. What if: Our concept of time and matter is wrong, or our idea of quantum physics is interesting and useful, but ultimately wrong. Perhaps I'm just a simpleton but part of m…

I think the fundamental problem is the idea that there is more than one thing. As soon as you see there is only one thing, it's no surprise that everything is related. http://philosophy.stackexchange.com/q/4751/2992

Re: Physicists Create Quantum Link Between Photons That Don't Exist at the Same Time

#8
post #5
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're only the ten millionth person to voice that desire. Sadly, the universe is not obligated to be intuitive. At this point we probably have to accept that the parts of the universe that we didn't evolve to understand are free to be as utterly weird as they want to be.

Sure, but what are the odds the universe fundamentally defies intuitive logic versus the odds our small brains currently can't see the full picture but in the meantime have invented insane (but cool) mathematical machinations? I guess it's unknowable.

But what do you think physicists do all day? Exactly what you just described. Unfortunately we pretty much have the answer, and it's kind of a resounding NO. Look up "local hidden variable theory".

Re: Physicists Create Quantum Link Between Photons That Don't Exist at the Same Time

#9
post #5
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're only the ten millionth person to voice that desire. Sadly, the universe is not obligated to be intuitive. At this point we probably have to accept that the parts of the universe that we didn't evolve to understand are free to be as utterly weird as they want to be.

Sure, but what are the odds the universe fundamentally defies intuitive logic versus the odds our small brains currently can't see the full picture but in the meantime have invented insane (but cool) mathematical machinations? I guess it's unknowable.

please read Anathem http://www.amazon.com/Anathem-Neal-Stephenson/dp/0061694940/... (if you've not already) I think you will enjoy it :)

[edit: removed wikipedia link... too many spoilers :(]

Re: Physicists Create Quantum Link Between Photons That Don't Exist at the Same Time

#10
post #2

At the risk of being "that guy," a few thoughts popped into my head after reading this article. I couldn't help but reflect on the possibility of us just completely misunderstanding how the universe works. It wouldn't be the first time in history. What if: Our concept of time and matter is wrong, or our idea of quantum physics is interesting and useful, but ultimately wrong. Perhaps I'm just a simpleton but part of m…

Don't worry, in 500 years, after everything that is now studied is well understood, there will be one or more underlying principles discovered which will simplify it all.
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