Re: [asa] Quantum physics, measurement problems, other implications?

Hi there,

Chris writes: " We have at times on this list broached the subject [Quantum physics], though the technical issues are probably the main reason for the topic's comparative rarity."

I would echo this answer. Quantum physics is so complex, so counter-intuitive, and so abstract, it is very difficult for people like me (who are scientists by training but are not active researchers) to understand it, let alone for the non-technical, lay audience. It's not even addressed until college, and even then for most people, it is an elective course that most do not undertake. It's hard for something to be on people's radar screen, if they've never really even heard of it. In contrast, although the technical details of evolution are certainly difficult, the bsaics are much easier to grasp, it is much more tangible (witness the classic "primate to human" sketch), and it is taught at a much earlier stage in school (usually high school, though I had my first taste in 8th grade). Also, with evolution, it is immediately apparent what the implications are ("humans were apes" or "humans came from warm, chemical goo") whereas the implications of quantum
 physics are seemingly much more opaque at first glance.

Hope this helps!
In Christ,
Christine (ASA member)

"For we walk by faith, not by sight" ~II Corinthians 5:7

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--- On Thu, 11/13/08, Chris Barden <chris.barden@gmail.com> wrote:

> From: Chris Barden <chris.barden@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [asa] Quantum physics, measurement problems, other implications?
> To: "Michael McCray" <momcmd3@gmail.com>
> Cc: asa@calvin.edu
> Date: Thursday, November 13, 2008, 9:02 AM
> If it's the weirdness of QM, the apparent issues of
> nonlocality and
> nondeterminacy, that interest you, a prominent example of
> interfacing
> such with Christian thought is in the works of John
> Polkinghorne. We
> have at times on this list broached the subject, though the
> technical
> issues are probably the main reason for the topic's
> comparative
> rarity.
>
> Chris
>
> On Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 10:59 AM, Michael McCray
> <momcmd3@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > On Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 11:07 PM, Schwarzwald
> <schwarzwald@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> Heya all. Just idly curious of this, as reading up
> on it has occupied my
> >> time as of late. Does anyone have much
> interest/fascination with questions
> >> of quantum measurement problems? I'm asking
> this in as broad a way as
> >> possible, not limiting it to 'insofar as it
> relates to Christianity' or even
> >> insofar as it relates to brain operation, etc. It
> seems like a downright
> >> fascinating and perplexing area of natural
> science, and I've now read about
> >> a number of physicists and scientists who lament
> how the issue is ignored or
> >> purposefully downplayed, because they have
> philosophical qualms about what
> >> the apparent results of delayed choice quantum
> eraser and similar
> >> experiments have to say about the material world.
> >>
> >> As I said, it's kind of a broad and open-ended
> question, but I'm curious
> >> what others on this list think about the subject.
> >
> >
> > If by the quantum measurement problem you are refering
> to "quantum
> > weirdness", nonlocality-faster than light
> communication between quantum
> > bodies, the wave particle duality, etc. then yes I am
> fascinated. I'm a
> > layman but I've read more than a little and
> I'm learning, hopefully
> > continously. Please say more.
> > Michael McCray
> >
>
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Received on Thu Nov 13 18:27:32 2008