Comprehending Our Dual Nature Physical Reality
Living with the Paradoxical Physics of the Macro and Micro Realms
For around 100 years, the Scientific paradigm of The Copenhagen Quantum School Revolution (1920s) has ruled material science aka physics. It quieted early skeptics such as the holistic genius Einstein and even brilliant colleague Schrodinger, who’s own Wave Mechanics Theorem was used to build the new quantum matrix edifice. Additional proven theories such as Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle, which was built upon Schrodinger’s earlier models are the bedrock of our current understanding of how the sub-atomic realm works. Quantum physics and it’s amazing mathematical prediction ability of physical reality within the 90’s percentile range became the de-facto foundation of the modern scientific world and gave birth to all the hi-level technology most of us take for granted in the 21st century.
Along with a number of other Nobel Prize winning pioneer Quantum physicists/mathematical thinkers such as Planck, De Broglie, Dirac and Pauli, followed by brilliant, replicated experiments such as the surreal Double Slit where electrons/photons act/flow differently when not viewed by a conscious human observer (wave to particle collapse) and more recent studies of confounding Entanglement phenomena where sub atomic particles are directly connected at close or very great distances (light years?) - there has been a schism in the world of physics.
Determinism, which had ruled supreme since Newton was overturned as the dominant paradigm of science and intuitive thought in general - that of a perfectly predictable mechanical universe built by a great watch maker (or mathematician) in the sky (God).
Determinism diehard Einstein said of Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle - “God does not play dice with the universe” and referred to Entanglement as “Spooky Actions at a distance”. Yet here we are 100 years later and there has been no unifying theory in the world of physics to create a harmonic synthesis between the extremely different macro and micro realms of our physical reality. The core ideas of the quantum realm are how waves become particles and the impossible task of measuring the motion and location of mysterious electrons in particular which pop in and out of existence. The best science can do is narrow down the probabilities utilizing quantum mathematics and its matrices - to a very impressive and consistent level.
The Schrodinger’s Cat thought experiment, where a cat in a rigged box was both dead and alive until the observer looked in - was initially presented by Schrodinger as a rebut of Heisenberg’s Uncertainty concept. But ironically it has ended up being one of the ways Uncertainty Principle is taught to science novices ever since. So for now it appears that God does play some dice with the universe and spooky interconnecting actions do occur for real. How much so is still being figured out.
I personally think that Einstein’s intuition, which was often right about many other amazing discoveries he made about he workings of our universe (Relativity, Atoms, Black Holes and Gravity/Waves etc)- were correct and eventually proven true. I too believe that through some kind of new discoveries in nature/physics - dark energy or matter? or some new findings about anti-matter via symmetry theories etc- there will eventually be some kind of unifying physics model for how our universe works on all levels in some kind of complimentray opposites Yin/Yang balanced, interconnected mechanisms/constructs. However, the small 5-7% Uncertainty element at the measurable sub atomic micro realms may always be a fixed closed feature as Heisenberg’s mentor Neils Bohr stated long ago. Time will tell.
It is confusing and counter intuitive to think that at the sub atomic level, which truly is the foundation of all physical phenomena, things are constantly moving around, flitting in and out of existence at hyper speeds. There are also huge empty spaces between atoms comparable to the big distances between stars and planets. Whereas at the macro, bigger levels of the physical world, which we all encounter very day, things seems solid and in fixed places/spaces. Yet this underlying spazzy micro realm conflicts with the more solid (yet also in motion) macro reality and even has leanings toward unpredictability/chaos.
In the later mid 20th century, Chaos and the Many/Parallel World theories etc. were developed and all are branches of the Quantum tree. The central idea being that all possibilities/paths exist somewhere and our freewill choices determine which way our story unfolds. Mix in that same scenario with billions of other interacting individual conscious living entities and nature itself - and the hyper complexity interconnected matrix that is our reality/universe - quickly renders the mind blown!
I wrote this quantum essay as a counter to extremist atheists, who also often adhere to strict material determinism and even believe that humans have no free will based on their reductionist ideas of how the universe is unfolding. Yet many intellectuals do understand and agree about the basic principles of Ecology and the complex interconnectedness of nature.
What I have to say to orthodox Determinsm thinkers is that Neils Bohr was right in that this solidified Quantum Revolution did upend Determinism as we know it. Thus until a fixed macro-micro Determinism Physics system is ever figured out/developed - which may never happen - you should all consider loosening up your fixed ideas built on a literal shaky quantum foundation and false, no longer valid 100% deterministic premises. Whether we like it or not the world has small pockets of chaos - what I prefer to refer to as mysterious elements. And is this not preferable to a staid perfectly predictable mechanical reality? Strict Determinism sounds like a scary Twilight Zone episode! Let’s embrace the mystery which keeps life interesting!
I have written more in depth about this new-ish quantum reality subject in some of my books (Sto-ology on Amazon) and other blogs. So if you like what you are reading, let me know in the comments and I will post some of my best older blogs here on Substack.
Is this art yours as well?
This is brilliant writing.