Quote Originally Posted by everymansmedium View Post
This is just a heads up for the Saturday chat.
Relative to this thought. I might consider a topic of:
"Is observation a cause?"
More precisely this question is stated:

When superposition collapses into a specifically defined state, is this change THE RESULT OF, Quantum measurement/observation?
OR IS IT:
Coincidentally at the exact moment of the quantum measurement/observation?

If you believe that it is coincidental, what then do you believe the probabilities are that it is the result of a random occurrence coinciding with observation 100% of the time.


Note this is meant to be a verbal discussion of this thought
John.
Hello friends:
In response to the chat the chat of 03-29-08.

I did get to ask this question at the chat.
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16:53:32 everymansmedium Dave do you think observation/quantitative measurement is a cause?
My answer:
16:57:27 dleviwing everymanmedium: Only when the observation requires interaction
with the observed. All observations have interactions with the
observed; it’s just a matter as to what degree.

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The answer I got indicates that it is the interaction caused by observation that is the cause. This is a realistic answer and it conveys the point that observation is only a cause because of the interaction. Interaction is always a cause. However this still does not begin to deal with what we are finding at this point. There are 2 actions that are taking place here that are for all practical purposes are not answered and will not be answered by the present configuration of physical thinking. The 2 actions that are not handled at all and are played down so much very few people even know what the words mean. The two words that I am talking about are
NON LOCALITY
and
ENTANGELMENT
If you like most do not know what these words mean look them up on the web and learn what the physics community hopes that you do not know.

You will note however that the thought brought out in post # 19 does in fact
have an inherent explanation for both of these phenomena. It does also indicate that the foundation of our universe is non-deterministic. This is also one thought that a capital institution for education will not be quick to accept.
John