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Monday 1 November 2010

Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) and Measurement Problem

"Quantum electrodynamics (QED) is the relativistic quantum field theory of electrodynamics. In essence, it describes how light and matter interact and is the first theory where full agreement between quantum mechanics and special relativity is achieved. QED mathematically describes all phenomena involving electrically charged particles interacting by means of exchange of photons and represents the quantum counterpart of classical electrodynamics giving a complete account of matter and light interaction. One of the founding fathers of QED, Richard Feynman, has called it "the jewel of physics" for its extremely accurate predictions of quantities like the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron, and the Lamb shift of the energy levels of hydrogen."

QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter By Richard, Feynman (1985) from Wikipedia

My thoughts on QED: It just seems interesting to me that electromagnetism is the only theory so far which has been able to bridge quantum physics and Einstein's theory of relativity. Since all personal development, spiritualities, yogic systems and religions attempt to develop one's electromagnetic field, also known as the aura, in order to evolve as a human being - it seems convenient, if not ironic, that this is so. However, rather than to imagine "one right answer" to the existence of the Universe, perhaps it is safer to assume that multiple answers and/or no answer is the best answer. Also, since I'm a novice at science and cannot claim in any way to understand this theory or its constituent parts, then my comparison between science and spirituality is purely random thought without any solid basis. In a way, my thoughts are quantum coming into existence as of and by themselves without any guide or velocity from myself and then dying as they reach their full fruition into words - and to think that this process is to do with my electromagnetic field is simply bizzare and extraordinary at the same time.

"The measurement problem in quantum mechanics is the unresolved problem of how (or if) wavefunction collapse occurs. The best known is the "paradox" of the Schrödinger's cat: a cat is apparently evolving into a linear superposition of basis vectors that can be characterized as an "alive cat" and states that can be described as a "dead cat". Each of these possibilities is associated with a specific nonzero probability amplitude; the cat seems to be in a "mixed" state. However, a single, particular observation of the cat does not measure the probabilities: it always finds either a living cat, or a dead cat. After the measurement the cat is definitively alive or dead. The question is: How are the probabilities converted into an actual, sharply well-defined outcome?"

From Wikipedia

My thoughts on the measurement problem: The measurement problem, as highlighted by the Double Slit Experiment and the paradox of Schrödinger's cat, shows something very interesting to me. It shows me that reality is itself infinite, but when we try to observe it or imagine it, it becomes finite. I would posit that this is because the observer's mind is finite, and therefore reality is adjusting itself into a form which can be understood by the observer. For example, if we had an observer with an infinite mind capable of understanding everything, then reality would not have to rearrange itself but rather would display itself in its true form.

Also, it is the observer who is transforming reality at the same time as reality is transforming itself to the observer. If the observer was looking to manipulate a result, simply by looking to see that result, the result would emerge, not because it exists but because the observer has a filter with which they are looking through, which is having an impact on reality. For example, if a person always thinks everyone is against them, then their reality exists as everyone around them attacking them or making them wrong, whereas the reality may be different. Thus, I make two summaries for the future. One: reality's true form is infinite. Two: the observer's filter or notions about reality taints reality.

From this I draw one interesting idea: Since reality and the observer can impact each other, there must be a relationship between the infinite (reality) and the finite (observer). This relationship suggests that the finite is a part of the infinite and the infinite is a part of the finite, in varying degrees to the extent of that relationship. The extent of the relationship is determined by the extent to which one's mind can conceive infinity without adding any filters or notions and since the mind is finite, only by eliminating the mind and its filters can infinity be conceived in totality. If the apparatus of the limited mind is removed, it allows for something greater to arrive that could otherwise be understood by the barriers of the limited mind. Thus, the relationship to reality is in negative correlation to the usage of the mind. In other words, only by stopping thinking can reality really be seen, even if only for a fraction of a second.

Naturally, then new notions may be added to manipulate reality to the observer's wants and needs. The problem with the old notions are that they were not chosen but rather inherited from society, parents, teachers, upbringing and environments, and would thus naturally taint reality in a way which is not in the observer's favour. Also, since a human being requires a mind to function, even if there was a technology to escape it momentarily, the limited mind would return and with it reality would dissipate back into a limited form which could be understood by it.

All the above is not proven, and so it remains to be seen whether modern science comes to the same conclusion in a hundred years time - but it felt good to share these thoughts and its in the love of sharing something that I do this.

Kind regards,

JHBSK xxx

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