Blog 20151111 Quantum
entanglement and measurement are equal
Quantum “entanglement”
occurs when two adjacent microcosms with supposedly random properties exhibit
complementary properties when separated a great distance.
If you have not seen it
already, you might be interested in this Google Tech Talk that
Ron Garret, a non-physicist, dared to give in 2011: The Quantum Conspiracy: What
Popularizers of QM Don't Want You to Know. It has had over a million views since then. I cannot say that I
understand it all, particularly the last part concerning some heavy-duty math
in which he claims to prove that entanglement=measurement.
Of course, the problem with mathematics is that each symbol has a long
history. Like other terms unique to a particular discipline, we need to know their
definitions and probably their etymology. A single equation can pack a lot of
information in a small space. Not being a mathematician, I cannot say whether
he is right or wrong in the same way I can say that E=mc2 is
correct, but that Einstein’s interpretation of it is incorrect.
Nonetheless, Garret seems to be saying that the “spooky action at a
distance” reported by quantum mechanists is a mere artifact of measurement. Perhaps someone can review the math and its
underlying assumptions to give us a clear picture of exactly how this relates
to spooky action.
In any case, I thought
his title was overstated, particularly in light of his regressive conclusion. In
opposition to the First Assumption of
Science, materialism (The external world exists after the
observer does not), he repeats the solipsistic QM mantra that the
universe would not exist if we did not observe it. Maybe that is why the video
is so popular!