Quote from: haltingprobability on December 14, 2017, 05:56:39 AM

I recommend the following to anybody seriously interested in understanding QC:

- https://arxiv.org/abs/1312.4455 --> "The Universe as quantum computer" by Seth Lloyd, professor of mechanical engineering and physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEaecUuEqfc --> "The Quantum Conspiracy: What Popularizers of QM Don't Want You to Know" by Ron Garret

Thanks for that. Its refreshing to read a post by somebody who knows more than I do about a subject. Though I look forward to the video, I havent yet put an hour of dedicated focus to it; I appreciated your brief summary. Garrets thesis as you describe it is fascinating, as is Lloyds paper.

This seems to intersect; I presume that Garret was taking aim with his post-Simulation Hypothesis: Because you asked: the Simulation Hypothesis has not been falsified; remains unfalsifiable.

Quote from: haltingprobability on December 14, 2017, 05:56:39 AM

Garret explains that a lot of the popular conceptions about quantum mechanics are not only incorrect, they are locked onto pernicious misconceptions that are simply false. [...] The behavior of quantum particles is only "weird", "strange" or "bizarre" because we're using the wrong metaphors (tiny billiard balls).

What evils have been wrought by the wrong metaphors! (Pseudo)scientifically, and otherwise. It is the twin sin of asking the wrong questions.

Quote from: haltingprobability on December 14, 2017, 05:56:39 AM

Garret convicts QM popularizes of contributing to mysticism in the public about the solid facts of quantum physics.

Whilst on the subject of pseudoscientific mysticisms woven under the rubric of educating the public, quantum talk seems somehow incomplete without mentioning its spacetime counterpart. One section of one webpage (plus its companion) will suffice to burn away mountains of garbage from science popularizers about special relativity. Its not even necessary to work through the equations: Simply look at the pretty pictures of a ruler on a rotating grid. The light bulb goes on. Rulers never change their lengths. Clocks never tick at different rates. There are no paradoxes. Those are only illusions caused by three-dimensional thinking, lack of vector maths, and too many science popularizers. Of course, you probably know this...

Granted, the popular explanations sell better. They provide an instant psychological substitute for the theological paradoxes and impossibilities of popularly fading religions. Its not the first time in history that similar has occurred.

As for myself: I dont understand special relativity. I dont understand quantum mechanics. I know just barely enough to know that I would need to dedicate years of intensive study to properly claim such understanding. Im disgusted by the culture of popularizers, and the mass pretense that anybody but a few elite scholars can understand such things; these eviscerate the meaning of the word understand. Attainment of actual understanding in any scientific discipline or engineering endeavour requires both innate ability and hard work. The same applies as for any art worthy of the word.

But hey, who am I to speak? I heard that quantum mechanics proves we have entered the astrological Age of Aquarius. Also, it explains psychic powers. Thanks, popularizers!

Quote from: haltingprobability on December 14, 2017, 05:56:39 AM

Yeah, most of the Bitcoin FUD is ridiculous but the quantum FUD is particularly hard to stomach.

Quantum FUD®. What a most excellent buzzword.