Theory of Everything - View Single Post - Quantum decoherence requires a specific observer

TinyTree · **Quantum decoherence requires a specific observer -** 01-15-2006, 07:33 PM

The assumption here is that quantum decoherence requires a specific observer. That is to say, for a long time in quantum mechanical circles it was thought that a conscious mind had to interact with a quantum system to cause it to resolve- to reduce the state vector.

According to this theory, an observer had to see the results of a quantum experiment, such as with the Shrodinger cat experiment, before the actual reality became final. Thus, until an observer looked in on the Shrodinger cat experiment, the cat was both alive and dead.

Well for this assumption, not only does quantum mechanical state vector reduction require an observer- it requires a SPECIFIC observer. However, no one knows which person is required (yet, perhaps it could be experimentally verified). If it was known that a certain person was required to collapse the state vector, but no one knew who it was, what would that mean for society? For the individual?

	(#1 (permalink))
TinyTree Blue Belt Status: Offline Posts: 132 Thanks Given: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Join Date: Oct 2005 Rep Power: 13	Quantum decoherence requires a specific observer - 01-15-2006, 07:33 PM The assumption here is that quantum decoherence requires a specific observer. That is to say, for a long time in quantum mechanical circles it was thought that a conscious mind had to interact with a quantum system to cause it to resolve- to reduce the state vector. According to this theory, an observer had to see the results of a quantum experiment, such as with the Shrodinger cat experiment, before the actual reality became final. Thus, until an observer looked in on the Shrodinger cat experiment, the cat was both alive and dead. Well for this assumption, not only does quantum mechanical state vector reduction require an observer- it requires a SPECIFIC observer. However, no one knows which person is required (yet, perhaps it could be experimentally verified). If it was known that a certain person was required to collapse the state vector, but no one knew who it was, what would that mean for society? For the individual?