The uncertainty principle is very bizarre. On the atomic level we can see an object and know how fast it is going in which direction. But at the sub atomic level, we cannot know position and momentum simultaneously. It is a very interesting principle to have to work with on the sub atomic level, and what does that mean for our subatomic particles? Things are not distinct or discrete on a sub atomic level, so what are we? Are we here or not?
Causality -
It is incredible to think that observation effects outcomes. In fact I find this to be true of myself sometimes, perhaps not on the same scale as the things we are studying in this class but for example... When I am in a funky mood things strike me more negatively. I have a harder time finding beauty in the world and miss out on things. When I am in a positive, open place within myself, amazing things may happen and/or I am able to move through the world in a way that causes me to grow and progress. My own observations of myself do indeed seem to affect my physical, emotion and mental experiences, to say nothing of the spiritual realm that modern science seems to gloss over...
Yes the universe is very weird. Light does't conform to our standard notions of behavior of matter, it acts like a wave and a particle. The uncertainty principle also defies our understandings of matter. Black holes bend time-space and we have no idea what they are. Observation effects phenomena.
I like your question, "Are we here or not?" in response to the uncertainty principle. I feel like the older I get, the less certain I am about anything. I certainly wouldn't argue that we are here. Where is "here" anyway? :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, where is here! We are lucky to be lost where-ever here is :)
DeleteI also find it strange how the laws that we base our modern knowledge off of change at the sub atomic level, it really makes you wonder if we are anywhere near the reality of how the world works, as opposed to simply a very good explaination that works in practice. I know that before it was accepted that the earth revolves around the sun, many farmers based their calandars off a very strange idea of the solar system where certain plants would loop around little mini orbits while they traveled around their actual orbit, it was done so well in practice that any calculations on when to harvest crops worked with that system. Maybe the universe and quantum physics is not as strange as we think it is, it is simply our explanation that is strange.
ReplyDeleteTotally, good point, what is truth? Is truth merely what is practical? What truth stands the test of time and what truth can we separate from the context it arose from. And what the hell is going on here?!
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