There is No Wave Function | Jacob Barandes

Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

In today’s episode, Jacob, 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:

- Wigner’s paper ‘Remarks on the Mind-Body Question’: https://www.informationphilosopher.com/solutions/scientists/wigner/Wigner_Remarks.pdf

- Jacob’s lecture on Hilbert Spaces: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmaSAG4J6nw&ab_channel=OxfordPhilosophyofPhysics

- John von Neumann’s book on ‘Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics’: https://amzn.to/48OkeVj

- The 1905 Papers (Albert Einstein): https://guides.loc.gov/einstein-annus-mirabilis/1905-papers

- Dividing Quantum Channels (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/math-ph/0611057

- Sean Carroll on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AoRxtYZrZo

- Scott Aaronson and Leonard Susskind’s paper on ‘Quantum Necromancy’: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2009.07450

- Scott Aaronson on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZpGCQoL2Rk

- Leonard Susskind on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p_Hlm6aCok

- Ekkolapto’s website: https://www.ekkolapto.org/

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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