Quantum Enigma: Physics Encounters Consciousness (2006 original; edició 2011)

An excellent explanation of the quantum enigma and its history. The math and theory are described very simply and clearly. ( )

Great read, even doable for people with no or little physics background. ( )

Quantum mechanics is perhaps the most controversial scientific theory after Darwin's theory of evolution.

On one side, new age and self-help gurus of all sorts concoct simplistic, frivolous and even deceitful interpretations of quantum mechanics, ranging from the "Law of Attraction" to the magical powers of positive thinking.

This is the crowd that assures we can somehow "get the universe to provide" us with everything our hearts desire, from six-pack abs to Harley Davidson bikes and the hot lovers to enjoy all these goodies with, as long as we just keep asking for it fervently enough -- and buying our guru's products and services thankyouverymuch.

PHYSICS' SKELETON IN THE CLOSET

On the other side, a large part of the scientific community who deal with quantum mechanics, physicists prominently among them, are extremely reluctant to address the implications of the astonishing and mysterious facts observed in the laboratory:

** that human observation definitively creates the properties of matter;

** that everything in the universe is inexorably interconnected: any two things that have ever interacted are forever "entangled": your friend's decision of what to do in Beijing (or in Saturn) can instantaneously (though randomly) influence what happens to you in Buenos Aires, without any physical force involved. Einstein called these influences "spooky actions".

OLD-SCHOOL OPEN-MIDEDNESS

With a refreshing approach, Kutter and Rosenblum encourage us to embrace the enigma posed by quantum mechanics with the sober, yet open-minded attitude that many of history's most brilliant physicists approached this issue with during the early decades of the 20th century.

NOT "THE SECRET"

Does the quantum enigma mean that we can somehow control matter with our thoughts? That we can micro-engineer the way the future unfolds in our lives? No, it doesn't.

But it definitely means we can have an influence on it beyond what conventional thinking leads us to believe.

"Spooky actions" at a distance imply that what we do, even what we think, have an impact in the outer world -- for better or worse.

THE VERY SIMPLE, PRAGMATIC LESSON

While there's no way to fine tune the impact that our thoughts and actions have in the world, the acknowledgement that that impact is absolutely real gives us a very rational basis to reinforce our deep-seated emotional tendency to hope that at least the quality of our thoughts and actions will produce an impact of the same quality on other living beings.

Moreover, we can rest assured that there is no need to advocate for Great Causes or embark upon Grandiose Adventures in order to contribute to a better world. If that's your true vocation, more power to you; but in a very real sense, working on our own personal growth is enough.

"If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. ... We need not wait to see what others do." - Mahatma Gandhi

Notice the difference between Ghandi's quote above and the "be the change you want to see in the world" bumper-sticker version, which apparently he never said -- a similar contrast to that between the self-help interpretations of quantum mechanics and the real deal.

" ... thou canst not stir a flower without troubling a star" - Francis Thompson

I understand that there's a potential, but I didn't understand it so far and I've almost finished it :( ( )

Quantum Enigma
Bruce Rosenbaum and Fred Kuttner
June 8, 2010

Quantum theory is unchallenged as an explanation for observed phenomena, but has at is core the completely fantastic idea that observation of a quantum state causes changes in quantum states so far removed from the experiment that no information can possibly be transmitted between the two states. It leads to the idea that conscious observers are required for the universe to exist. The authors relentlessly confront the oddness of the quantum theory, but reject the more fantastic claims of parapsychology and religion. The chapters on consciousness and quantum theory are brief but provocative. The stories about physicists are entertaining, but the playful dialogues about lands in which quantum phenomena come alive are puerile.
The authors taught this material in a course for undergraduates who are not physicists, and admit that there speculations are not welcome among many physicists, who stay with the Copenhagen interpretation of shut up and calculate. ( )