I have posted regularly in the past about some cutting edge philosophical and scientific ideas based on quantum physics (such as Henry Stapp’s speculation on an afterlife based on modern physics). But such ideas obviously aren’t endorsed by ‘mainstream’ physicists, and so I recommend (as with most things we post here) that readers keep their wits about them, and educate themselves to the various opinions on these controversial debates. On this particular topic, Alan Boyle’s recent interview with physicist Lawrence Krauss over is a good start:
Krauss worries that a lot of people can be fooled by appeals to the admittedly weird world of quantum physics — a world in which particles are said to take every possible path from point A to point B, in which the position and velocity of particles are necessarily cloaked in uncertainty, in which the mere act of observation changes the thing being observed.
In the last of a series of columns written for Scientific American, Krauss says “no area of physics stimulates more nonsense in the public arena than quantum mechanics.” His list of “worst abusers” includes inspirational author Deepak Chopra, the best-selling book “The Secret” and the whole field of Transcendental Meditation. So what constitutes quantum quackery?
For those interested in following up on this interview, you can read a number of Krauss’s articles for various publications via his website.
Previously on TDG:
