Unexplainable When reality broke
Apr 13, 2022
Constance Grady, a Vox culture writer and host of the Vox Book Club, joins to discuss Benjamin Labatut’s thought-provoking book. They delve into the revolutionary ideas of Werner Heisenberg, exploring how quantum mechanics shattered traditional scientific beliefs. The conversation highlights how imaginative storytelling can illuminate the chaos of reality’s breakdown. They also reflect on the emotional weight of complex theories and the interplay of fiction and nonfiction in understanding our uncertain world.
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Determinism in Early Science
- Early 20th-century science operated under determinism, where cause and effect were clear.
- Scientists were seen as neutral observers, measuring and quantifying a predictable reality.
Quantum Mechanics and Uncertainty
- Quantum mechanics challenged determinism by introducing uncertainty.
- Heisenberg's uncertainty principle states that you cannot simultaneously measure both an electron's velocity and position.
The Observer's Impact on Reality
- Measuring reality affects it; the observer is not neutral.
- An electron exists as a possibility until observed, collapsing the separation between observer and observed.
