In today’s episode, Jacob Barandes, a physicist specializing in quantum mechanics, explores groundbreaking ideas on measurement, the role of probabilistic laws, and the foundational principles of quantum theory. With a focus on interdisciplinary approaches, Jacob offers unique insights into the nature of particles, fields, and the evolution of quantum mechanics.
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LINKS MENTIONED:
- Jacob Barandes' website: (find his papers and seminar talks there, on the double-slit and more)
- Jacob Barandes' "The Stochastic-Quantum Correspondence" paper:
- Wigner’s paper ‘Remarks on the Mind-Body Question’:
- John von Neumann’s book on ‘Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics’:
- Scott Aaronson and Leonard Susskind’s paper on ‘Quantum Necromancy’:
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction
01:26 - Jacob's Background
07:32 - Pursuing Theoretical Physics
10:28 - Is Consciousness Linked to Quantum Mechanics?
16:07 - Why the Wave Function Might Not Be Real
20:12 - The Schrödinger Equation Explained
23:04 - Higher Dimensions in Quantum Physics
30:11 - Heisenberg’s Matrix Mechanics
35:08 - Schrödinger’s Wave Function and Its Implications
39:57 - Dirac and von Neumann's Quantum Axioms
45:09 - The Problem with Hilbert Spaces
50:02 - Wigner's Friend Paradox
55:06 - Challenges in Defining Measurement in Quantum Mechanics
01:00:17 - Trying to Simplify Quantum for Students
01:03:35 - Bridging Quantum Mechanics with Stochastic Processes
01:05:05 - Discovering Indivisible Stochastic Processes
01:12:03 - Interference and Coherence Explained
01:16:06 - Redefining Measurement and Decoherence
01:18:01 - The Future of Quantum Theory
1:24:09 - Foundationalism and Quantum Theory
1:25:04 - Why Use Indivisible Stochastic Laws?
1:26:10 - The Quantum-Classical Transition
1:27:30 - Classical vs Quantum Probabilities
1:28:36 - Hilbert Space and the Convenience of Amplitudes
1:30:01 - No Special Role for Observers
1:33:40 - Emergence of the Wave Function
1:38:27 - Physicists' Reluctance to Change Foundations
1:43:04 - Resolving Quantum Mechanics' Inconsistencies
1:50:46 - Practical Applications of Indivisible Stochastic Processes
1:57:53 - Understanding Particles in the Indivisible Stochastic Model
2:00:48 - Is There a Fundamental Ontology?
2:07:02 - Advice for Students Entering Physics
2:09:32 - Encouragement for Interdisciplinary Research
2:12:22 - Outro
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