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20151028 Spooky action at a distance
Regressive physicists of the quantum mechanics stripe
think they have discovered what even Einstein thought impossible. The New York
Times is right on top of it, spreading the propaganda with this article:
Markoff, John, 2015, Sorry, Einstein. Quantum Study
Suggests ‘Spooky Action’ Is Real, New York Times: New York, p. A13 [ http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/science/quantum-theory-experiment-said-to-prove-spooky-interactions.html?emc=edit_th_20151022&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=51980164&_r=0
].
According to Markoff: “In a landmark study, scientists
at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands reported that
they had conducted an experiment that they say proved one of the most
fundamental claims of quantum theory — that objects separated by great distance
can instantaneously affect each other’s behavior.
The finding is another blow to one of the bedrock principles
of standard physics known as “locality,” which states that an object is
directly influenced only by its immediate surroundings.” It “is the strongest
evidence yet to support the most fundamental claims of the theory of quantum
mechanics about the existence of an odd world formed by a fabric of subatomic
particles, where matter does not take form until it is observed and time runs
backward as well as forward.”
[GB: Since this has been in the news for some time, I
need to comment. Again the main problem with quantum mechanics (QM) involves
its rejection of many of the Ten Assumptions of Science.
1. The
primary transgression is their rejection of the Eighth Assumption of Science, infinity
(The universe is infinite, both in the microcosmic and macrocosmic directions)
and their resulting aether denial. According to neomechanics, quantum particles
are bathed in aether, producing phenomena in which the resulting waves are
often mistaken for the particles themselves.
2. The
supposition that “matter does not take form until it is observed” is taken
right out of the immaterialist’s handbook. Bishop Berkeley, Deepak Chopra, and
their religious progeny would be proud of this rejection of the First Assumption of Science, materialism (The external world exists after the observer does not).
3. The
silly idea that “time runs backward as well as forward” fits this solipsistic
pattern. It is a clear rejection of the Seventh
Assumption of Science, irreversibility
(All processes are irreversible). Time is motion. Whenever a microcosm moves,
no matter how small, it moves with respect to the rest of the universe. The
microcosm never can return to its previous relationship to the rest of the
universe—both the microcosm and the rest of the universe have changed in the
meantime. One might consider this nit-picky, but it is not in the face of such
outrageous claims.]
4. Markoff writes: “The tests take place in a mind-bending and
peculiar world. According to quantum mechanics, particles do not take on formal
properties until they are measured or observed in some way. Until then, they
can exist simultaneously in two or more places. Once measured, however, they
snap into a more classical reality, existing in only one place.” [GB:
Mind-bending all right, but nonetheless right in tune with operationalism,
which is the version of myopic indeterminism that assumes that “unless, I can
feel, see, taste, or measure something, it does not exist.” This is no
different from Chopra’s claim that unless he can see the moon, it too does not
exist. The fact is that all our measurements in science change the object of
investigation in some way. Nonetheless, we assume that all microcosms have
properties before we are able to measure them. In QM, of course, the act of
measuring can produce profound changes that may produce “formal properties”
having little to do with nature. Despite the usual hubris, many scientists are
not at all sure that the rubble produced in our accelerators actually tells us
much about undamaged particles. It is especially amazing to me that normally
skeptical operationalists can be so illogically sure that QM particles “can
exist simultaneously in two or more places.”
The next step in QM work will be headlined by Dr. Guth
(of increasingly inflationary universe fame) that will “attempt an experiment
that will have a better chance of ensuring the complete independence of the
measurement detectors by gathering light from distant objects.” I cannot
imagine how this could possibly work, just as I cannot imagine the “complete
independence” of detectors. Most detectors operate at the behest of
electro-magnetic (EM) radiation. They are about as “independent” as your cell
phone, which is dependent on the universal aether to receive and emit EM radiation
for its operation.
Again, phenomena that display “action at a distance”
are “spooky” only to aether deniers. Without aether, we are stuck with “curved
empty space,” “curved spacetime,” or the magical “attractive force” that still makes
no sense even though it has been a solipsistic favorite for centuries. What
seems to be “action at a distance” is most likely a local effect produced by
variations in aether pressure, as we suggested as the neomechanical cause of
gravitation.[1] I must
admit that I have not examined the experimental details in the Delft paper. What
with the above mentioned transgressions against science I am not sure that I
want to. Papers like these get great press because they pander to the religious
crowd. QM is the extreme end of the regression, with even Einstein being opposed.
If you doubt the religious connection, check out this YouTube video that David de Hilster suffered through: http://youtu.be/4C5pq7W5yRM
]
[1]
Borchardt, Glenn, and Puetz, Stephen J., 2012, Neomechanical Gravitation
Theory, in Volk, Greg, Proceedings of the Natural Philosophy Alliance,
19th Conference of the NPA, 25-28 July: Albuquerque, NM, Natural Philosophy
Alliance, Mt. Airy, MD, v. 9, p. 53-58
[http://www.worldsci.org/pdf/abstracts/abstracts_6529.pdf].