There is No Wave Function | Jacob Barandes

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.

New Substack! Follow my personal writings and EARLY ACCESS episodes here: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com

SPONSOR (THE ECONOMIST): As a listener of TOE you can get a special 20% off discount to The Economist and all it has to offer! Visit https://www.economist.com/toe

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

TOE'S TOP LINKS:

- Support TOE on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal (early access to ad-free audio episodes!)

- Listen to TOE on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e

- Become a YouTube Member Here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join

- Join TOE's Newsletter 'TOEmail' at https://www.curtjaimungal.org

Other Links:

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt

- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs

- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802

- Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything

#science #sciencepodcast #physics

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices