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Schrodinger's Rabbits: The Many Worlds of Quantum
For the better part of a century, attempts to explain what was really going on in the quantum world seemed doomed to failure. But recent technological advances have made the question both practical and urgent. A brilliantly imaginative group of physicists at Oxford University have risen to the challenge. This is their story. At long last, there is a sensible way to think about quantum mechanics. The new view abolishes the need to believe in randomness, long-range spooky forces, or conscious observers with mysterious powers to collapse cats into a state of life or death. But the new understanding comes at a price: we must accept that we live in a multiverse wherein countless versions of reality unfold side-by-side. The philosophical and personal consequences of this are awe-inspiring.
The new interpretation has allowed imaginative physicists to conceive of wonderful new technologies: measuring devices that effectively share information between worlds and computers that can borrow the power of other worlds to perform calculations. Step by step, the problems initially associated with the original many-worlds formulation have been addressed and answered so that a clear but startling new picture has emerged.
Just as Copenhagen was the centre of quantum discussion a lifetime ago, so Oxford has been the epicenter of the modern debate, with such figures as Roger Penrose and Anton Zeilinger fighting for single-world views, and David Deutsch, Lev Vaidman and a host of others for many-worlds.
An independent physicist living in Oxford, Bruce has had a ringside seat to the debate. In his capable hands, we understand why the initially fantastic sounding many-worlds view is not only a useful way to look at things, but logically compelling. Parallel worlds are as real as the distant galaxies detected by the Hubble Space Telescope, even though the evidence for their existence may consist only of a few photons.
The new interpretation has allowed imaginative physicists to conceive of wonderful new technologies: measuring devices that effectively share information between worlds and computers that can borrow the power of other worlds to perform calculations. Step by step, the problems initially associated with the original many-worlds formulation have been addressed and answered so that a clear but startling new picture has emerged.
Just as Copenhagen was the centre of quantum discussion a lifetime ago, so Oxford has been the epicenter of the modern debate, with such figures as Roger Penrose and Anton Zeilinger fighting for single-world views, and David Deutsch, Lev Vaidman and a host of others for many-worlds.
An independent physicist living in Oxford, Bruce has had a ringside seat to the debate. In his capable hands, we understand why the initially fantastic sounding many-worlds view is not only a useful way to look at things, but logically compelling. Parallel worlds are as real as the distant galaxies detected by the Hubble Space Telescope, even though the evidence for their existence may consist only of a few photons.
282 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 17, 2009
Bruce doesn't fully explain his conclusions, which makes this a bad choice for a beginner in quantum physics (like me). Explain to me why we have to assume that a particle must map out every possible result before a quantum phenomenon takes place?
Bruce provides some experiment results, offers assertions like the above (as an explanation for the results, presumably), and then runs with their implications. Half way through, I was kind of left scratching my head, wanting to know more about the experiments and variations discussed in the first part of the book. I tried to double back a number of times, but I couldn't find the key explanations underlying his assumptions.
I'll keep trying different authors until I can find somebody who can convince me of the various assumptions at the heart of these crazy quantum-based theories . . . .
Bruce provides some experiment results, offers assertions like the above (as an explanation for the results, presumably), and then runs with their implications. Half way through, I was kind of left scratching my head, wanting to know more about the experiments and variations discussed in the first part of the book. I tried to double back a number of times, but I couldn't find the key explanations underlying his assumptions.
I'll keep trying different authors until I can find somebody who can convince me of the various assumptions at the heart of these crazy quantum-based theories . . . .
December 30, 2016
I most certainly agree with the reviews of others presented, as it truly necessitates that the user be have, at the most basic level, a conceptual understanding of first principles of quantum theory. This is not for the weak of heart and more so not for the weak of mind. If perhaps one can digest this having meeting qualifications of the bare minimum then you may pass as not only an armchair scientist or a science enthusiast but as well knowledgeable in the subject matter.
October 24, 2014
If you're looking for a highly readable introductory text, this is not it (see "A Brief History of Time") but I do like the way this book was organized and written. If you want a book that goes deeper into the world of quantum than your average book in this genre, this is a good place to start. It is written in an entertaining and interesting fashion yet cuts few corners for simplicity's sake.
July 23, 2024
Schrödinger's Rabbits is a book about Quantum Mechanics focusing specifically on the EPR Paradox. It's written for the lay audience, so it has plentiful explanations and a lack of mathematics. Although it mentions Schrödinger's Cat, the author implies it's an overused metaphor.
The EPR Paradox is a thought experiment by physicists Albert Einstein, Boris Podolsky, and Nathan Rosen. It demonstrates a lack of completeness in Quantum Theory due to 'spooky action at a distance.' Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen were not fond of QM. Einstein famously quipped about God and dice.
Author Colin Bruce covers recent developments circa 2004 that revolutionized humanity's understanding of Quantum Mechanics. Bruce turns to the Many-Worlds Interpretation. It opens a can of worms with parallel universes, but it does have some characteristics that work.
Bruce emphasizes caution and posits Phlogiston and Epicycles as examples of scientific paradigms gone awry.
I enjoyed the book. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.
The EPR Paradox is a thought experiment by physicists Albert Einstein, Boris Podolsky, and Nathan Rosen. It demonstrates a lack of completeness in Quantum Theory due to 'spooky action at a distance.' Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen were not fond of QM. Einstein famously quipped about God and dice.
Author Colin Bruce covers recent developments circa 2004 that revolutionized humanity's understanding of Quantum Mechanics. Bruce turns to the Many-Worlds Interpretation. It opens a can of worms with parallel universes, but it does have some characteristics that work.
Bruce emphasizes caution and posits Phlogiston and Epicycles as examples of scientific paradigms gone awry.
I enjoyed the book. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.
December 18, 2017
A good description of many worlds theory and quantum mechanics. A little math heavy and very conceptually challenging. I enjoyed it and recommend for those interested in quantum mechanics and theoretical physics. And math nerds.
May 23, 2021
Good job explaining some quantum issues, but the probabilities in the later chapters were wrong, which sheds doubt on some of the things stated. No math in it. Basically shows though, that as of 2004, no one on the planet really understands quantum mechanics.
February 20, 2014
Expounding the many worlds interpretation of quantum physics
This book is somewhat harder to read because the subject does not flow well from chapter to chapter, but on the positive side, it is written for a general reader which requires only basic knowledge of quantum physics. The author states that his main focus is the recent advances at Oxford University, due to Roger Penrose and David Deutsch, with emphasis on the many worlds interpretation of quantum physics. But as you read through the chapters his lack of focus becomes evident.
The summary of the book is as follows: Schrodinger's equations for an electron in an atom are described by the "time-inde¬pendent" equation, which does not answer the question of where the particle is located at any given instant. The time-dependent equation predicts that as long as it is not interacting with anything, the wave will flatten and spread out to infinity. Yet even a tiny observation-like interaction with this wave somewhere in the universe can bring an extremely point-like electron springing into view, with dimensions that remain too small to mea¬sure and this happens in less time than it would take light to cross the region of space where it was until a moment ago. It is hard to imagine any reasonable physi¬cal mechanism that could bring about quantum collapse (faster than speed of light).
The quantum phenomenon is interpreted by two major schools of thought; the Copenhagen interpretation due to Niels Bohr, and the many worlds interpretation due to Hugh Everett. According to the former, that unmodified Schrodinger wave equation gives rise to a collapsed single reality when perceived by a conscious observer, but it does not provide a mechanism for quantum collapse. Roger Penrose proposes that the Schrodinger wave equation must be modified to include some physical collapse mechanism that gives rise to a single-valued reality. Exponents of many-worlds interpretation propose that collapse never hap¬pens and the universe continues with all outcomes which are equal and real. Just believe what the equations (math) are telling us, that the universe is tracing out all possible histories, rather than just one privileged one expounded by Copenhagen school. There is one problem at the heart of the many worlds concept, which is how do you treat relative probabilities of different outcomes and the world lines that follow them? There is a third interpretation due to David Bohm (Bohmian mechanics) called hidden variables interpretation. The conceptual difficulties of the quantum world such as, the two-slit experiment, Heisenberg uncertainty, and the quantum col¬lapse is explained by postulating some fine struc¬ture to space that is too delicate to measure directly. This hypothetical fine structure also called hidden local variables. Waves that can influence the motion of both photons and matter particles and make small objects judder about so as to complicate the measurement of their positions and motions. Abrupt collision jolt particles from the waves they are associated with resulting in localization of matter (quantum collapse).
The spacetime in which the probability waves move is also quantized. If gravitational force (space-time curvature) were subjected to quantum fluctuations in the way that other fields and energies are, mathematical infinities would arise. In physical terms, the structure of space-time would be very un¬stable. A quantum fluctuation in a tiny region of space-time would very rapidly grow, perhaps spawning exotic entities such as black holes at a colossal rate. Roger Penrose offers an explanation by suggesting that such uncertainties in gravitational field energy tend to cancel themselves out producing quantum collapse as a side effect. Even two atomic nuclei attract each other gravitationally and produce tiny curvature in spacetime. Penrose's calculations for quantum collapse as expected is fast for larger objects (for a cat it is 10(e-37) seconds, and for a beryllium ion, 100 years).
The first half of the book is sometimes irrelevant and boring but the second half is interesting. I found the last three chapters are particularly interesting; it is here the author discusses the quantized spacetime and the information stored in space-time in relation to the rest of the universe. There are many books on quantum physics and physical reality written for general readers, and I recommend readers to look for other sources to strengthen their knowledge in quantum reality and philosophy of existence.
This book is somewhat harder to read because the subject does not flow well from chapter to chapter, but on the positive side, it is written for a general reader which requires only basic knowledge of quantum physics. The author states that his main focus is the recent advances at Oxford University, due to Roger Penrose and David Deutsch, with emphasis on the many worlds interpretation of quantum physics. But as you read through the chapters his lack of focus becomes evident.
The summary of the book is as follows: Schrodinger's equations for an electron in an atom are described by the "time-inde¬pendent" equation, which does not answer the question of where the particle is located at any given instant. The time-dependent equation predicts that as long as it is not interacting with anything, the wave will flatten and spread out to infinity. Yet even a tiny observation-like interaction with this wave somewhere in the universe can bring an extremely point-like electron springing into view, with dimensions that remain too small to mea¬sure and this happens in less time than it would take light to cross the region of space where it was until a moment ago. It is hard to imagine any reasonable physi¬cal mechanism that could bring about quantum collapse (faster than speed of light).
The quantum phenomenon is interpreted by two major schools of thought; the Copenhagen interpretation due to Niels Bohr, and the many worlds interpretation due to Hugh Everett. According to the former, that unmodified Schrodinger wave equation gives rise to a collapsed single reality when perceived by a conscious observer, but it does not provide a mechanism for quantum collapse. Roger Penrose proposes that the Schrodinger wave equation must be modified to include some physical collapse mechanism that gives rise to a single-valued reality. Exponents of many-worlds interpretation propose that collapse never hap¬pens and the universe continues with all outcomes which are equal and real. Just believe what the equations (math) are telling us, that the universe is tracing out all possible histories, rather than just one privileged one expounded by Copenhagen school. There is one problem at the heart of the many worlds concept, which is how do you treat relative probabilities of different outcomes and the world lines that follow them? There is a third interpretation due to David Bohm (Bohmian mechanics) called hidden variables interpretation. The conceptual difficulties of the quantum world such as, the two-slit experiment, Heisenberg uncertainty, and the quantum col¬lapse is explained by postulating some fine struc¬ture to space that is too delicate to measure directly. This hypothetical fine structure also called hidden local variables. Waves that can influence the motion of both photons and matter particles and make small objects judder about so as to complicate the measurement of their positions and motions. Abrupt collision jolt particles from the waves they are associated with resulting in localization of matter (quantum collapse).
The spacetime in which the probability waves move is also quantized. If gravitational force (space-time curvature) were subjected to quantum fluctuations in the way that other fields and energies are, mathematical infinities would arise. In physical terms, the structure of space-time would be very un¬stable. A quantum fluctuation in a tiny region of space-time would very rapidly grow, perhaps spawning exotic entities such as black holes at a colossal rate. Roger Penrose offers an explanation by suggesting that such uncertainties in gravitational field energy tend to cancel themselves out producing quantum collapse as a side effect. Even two atomic nuclei attract each other gravitationally and produce tiny curvature in spacetime. Penrose's calculations for quantum collapse as expected is fast for larger objects (for a cat it is 10(e-37) seconds, and for a beryllium ion, 100 years).
The first half of the book is sometimes irrelevant and boring but the second half is interesting. I found the last three chapters are particularly interesting; it is here the author discusses the quantized spacetime and the information stored in space-time in relation to the rest of the universe. There are many books on quantum physics and physical reality written for general readers, and I recommend readers to look for other sources to strengthen their knowledge in quantum reality and philosophy of existence.
May 9, 2025
i forgot to make a review, but I really liked this book. It was a twist on real world physics involving a lot of unknown/mysterious ideas/theories that could be real given the time and tech it would take to have it come to fruition but obviously nobody has that so this is the closest thing people can come up with.
November 15, 2010
(vedi anche la mia recensione su Galileo: http://www.galileonet.it/recensioni/9... )<br />Diciamocela tutta: in questi ultimi anni sembra che nessuno si possa dichiarare felice se non scrive un libro sulla meccanica quantistica. Anche Colin Bruce, di cui Cortina aveva già tradotto un paio di libri, si è dedicato al tema. Bisogna dire che Bruce è un ottimo divulgatore, e il libro si fa leggere molto bene; inoltre uno dei punti a favore dell'opera è che finalmente non si leggono soltanto i resoconti "classici" della meccanica quantistica, quelli insomma che hanno ormai tre quarti di secolo, ma anche quelli dei fisici di oggi. Resta un unico problema: anche Bruce è comunque un evangelista, e quindi fa di tutto e di più per dimostrare che l'interpretazione da lui preferita, quella dei molti mondi, è quella "reale". A suo onore va detto che - anche se ogni tanto mischia un po' le carte in tavola - non nasconde le altre posizioni; però bisogna stare attenti a non farsi prendere dall'entusiasmo mentre lo si legge.<br />Un'ultima nota sulla traduzione. Luca Guzzardi è stato molto bravo sia a mantenere lo stile vivace di Bruce nella traduzione che ad aggiungere delle utili note a piè di pagina; ho così scoperto ad esempio che il vero nome di Monty Hall era Maurice Halprin. Però ogni tanto, come del resto il buon Omero, sonnecchiava; ci sono così degli errori di traduzione. A pagina 54, il treno si contrae a (non di) una piccola frazione; a pagina 60, la cancellazione perfetta delle onde è in realtà una correlazione; a pagina 106, se il gatto è morto l'astronauta è triste; a pagina 239, la probabilità è bassa; infine a pagina 309 "Alpha Proximi" mi sembra tanto un minestrone tra Alpha e Proxima Centauri.
July 8, 2008
A quick read. Somewhat entertaining. Presents some fairly outrageous concepts. Author is very pro-many-worlds it seems, which I tend to disagree with. He does give some time to Penrose and alternate ideas. He does propose an combo theory in the end which is quite interesting. I need to read a second time as some of the concepts require a lot of visualization and this was nearly impossible to do on a noisy crowded train.
March 31, 2015
Feynman disse che "se credete di aver capito la teoria dei quanti vuol dire che non l'avete capita". Bruce non intende smentirlo, ma a parte qualche esoterismo di troppo (soprattutto quando va oltre il consenso di Copenaghen)rende Pauli comprensibile. Del resto, Bohr sostiene che "Chi non rimane sconvolto quando si imbatte per la prima volta nella teoria dei quanti non può averla capita". Non diro' che ho capito la teoria, ma certo ne sono rimasto sconvolto...
January 13, 2014
Be prepared to reread pages (and perhaps the whole book) if you truly want to grasp the current understanding of the quantum world. The concepts are difficult and the author's analogies were often helpful but sometimes unnecessarily misleading. Overall a very interesting read both due to the topic and the author.
January 21, 2020
Δύσκολος λόγος, άσχημα παραδείγματα και σε ορισμένες περιπτώσεις ανακρίβειες. Το βιβλίο απέτυχε παταγωδώς ως βιβλίο εκλαϊκευμένης επιστήμης.
***
It was a scribbled book, with bad examples. In some cases I even find it inaccurate and at the very end confusing. The book failed miserably as a book that attempts to explain physical concepts to amateurs.
***
It was a scribbled book, with bad examples. In some cases I even find it inaccurate and at the very end confusing. The book failed miserably as a book that attempts to explain physical concepts to amateurs.
August 24, 2014
Un po' pesante e ho dovuto rileggere l'inizio con l'illusionista due volte, l'ho trovato confusionario anche se conoscevo già qualcosa sull'argomento. Molto chiaro e interessante dopo. Sarebbe un 3 e mezzo.
May 5, 2018
Kind of "colloquial" but at least it's full of visualizable examples of incredibly counter-intuitive concepts.
August 23, 2010
Very helpful. Offically makes many-worlds the ' Oxford interpretation '
January 3, 2012
Confusing.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews