Quantum Mechanics, The Paranormal and Hypocrisy
One of the challenges facing physicists today in their search for a unifying Theory of Everything is the apparent contradiction between quantum mechanics and relativity. Quantum mechanics describes the behavior of the subatomic realm with a completely different set of rules than that of relativity, which describes the superatomic macro-universe. This dichotomy of theoretical systems is the evidence that science has yet to find a single cosmological model that can accommodate all of observable reality.
The micro-universe of the quantum is bizarre in comparison to the macro-universe. Particles pop in and out of existence in defiance of the laws of conservation (matter can neither be created nor destroyed). Different particles can be in the same place at the same time, or can even be in every possible place at the same time. One of the most important aspects of the quantum realm is that nothing can be predicted with certainty. The randomness observed in subatomic events, as well as the inability to determine both the momentum and the location of any given particle at the same moment in time, has led to the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics, which states that only the probability of a given event can be predicted. [There are many good books and Internet articles that explain this uncertainty principle in much greater depth than permitted here]
In contrast, the macro-universe of relativity—the one that we observe in our day-to-day lives—is quite predictable. A volume of molecules, each comprising two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen at STP (standard temperature and pressure) and with sufficient gravity to hold that volume together, will produce a clear liquid known as water anywhere in the universe these conditions are met. All eggs laid by chickens are chicken eggs—precisely 0% are platypus eggs. The pot roast you put in the oven earlier will not magically transmute into a block of granite when you remove it (although the uncertainty of my own cooking might arguably make this possible). The list of things we can predict with certainty in our macro-universe is almost limitless.
Physicists have been trying to solve this paradox for decades. But in recent years, some have adopted the approach—perhaps out of frustration or impatience—of superimposing quantum mechanics onto the macro-universe by force. In other words, some have simply declared that the macro-universe must also be random and uncertain, but that we just can’t see it for some reason. This has given rise to a number of really strange concepts like the multiverse (more on these in upcoming articles). But none of these schemes succeed at explaining in a universally applicable and consistent way the wholesale predictability observed in the macro-world.
But wait—what about paranormal phenomena? Telepathy, apparitions, levitations, electronic voice phenomena (EVP) and the like, exhibit the exact kinds of crazy characteristics as quantum events, yet we can observe them in the macro-universe. Moreover, because their appearance is random and unpredictable, they present the very same uncertain quality as does the subatomic world. You would think that because paranormal phenomena display this uncertainty, physicists seeking verification of the quantum effect in the superatomic world would welcome these observations into their reckoning. Think again. Mainstream science has traditionally rejected the reality of paranormal phenomena precisely because of its unpredictable uncertainty!
So…scientists persist in rejecting paranormal evidence even though it exhibits the very quantum uncertainty in the macro-universe they are searching for, but embrace through fanciful theories the idea of forcing uncertainty onto all other observations in the macro-universe that do not display the characteristics of this quantum effect.
Go figure.
One of the challenges facing physicists today in their search for a unifying Theory of Everything is the apparent contradiction between quantum mechanics and relativity. Quantum mechanics describes the behavior of the subatomic realm with a completely different set of rules than that of relativity, which describes the superatomic macro-universe. This dichotomy of theoretical systems is the evidence that science has yet to find a single cosmological model that can accommodate all of observable reality.
The micro-universe of the quantum is bizarre in comparison to the macro-universe. Particles pop in and out of existence in defiance of the laws of conservation (matter can neither be created nor destroyed). Different particles can be in the same place at the same time, or can even be in every possible place at the same time. One of the most important aspects of the quantum realm is that nothing can be predicted with certainty. The randomness observed in subatomic events, as well as the inability to determine both the momentum and the location of any given particle at the same moment in time, has led to the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics, which states that only the probability of a given event can be predicted. [There are many good books and Internet articles that explain this uncertainty principle in much greater depth than permitted here]
In contrast, the macro-universe of relativity—the one that we observe in our day-to-day lives—is quite predictable. A volume of molecules, each comprising two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen at STP (standard temperature and pressure) and with sufficient gravity to hold that volume together, will produce a clear liquid known as water anywhere in the universe these conditions are met. All eggs laid by chickens are chicken eggs—precisely 0% are platypus eggs. The pot roast you put in the oven earlier will not magically transmute into a block of granite when you remove it (although the uncertainty of my own cooking might arguably make this possible). The list of things we can predict with certainty in our macro-universe is almost limitless.
Physicists have been trying to solve this paradox for decades. But in recent years, some have adopted the approach—perhaps out of frustration or impatience—of superimposing quantum mechanics onto the macro-universe by force. In other words, some have simply declared that the macro-universe must also be random and uncertain, but that we just can’t see it for some reason. This has given rise to a number of really strange concepts like the multiverse (more on these in upcoming articles). But none of these schemes succeed at explaining in a universally applicable and consistent way the wholesale predictability observed in the macro-world.
But wait—what about paranormal phenomena? Telepathy, apparitions, levitations, electronic voice phenomena (EVP) and the like, exhibit the exact kinds of crazy characteristics as quantum events, yet we can observe them in the macro-universe. Moreover, because their appearance is random and unpredictable, they present the very same uncertain quality as does the subatomic world. You would think that because paranormal phenomena display this uncertainty, physicists seeking verification of the quantum effect in the superatomic world would welcome these observations into their reckoning. Think again. Mainstream science has traditionally rejected the reality of paranormal phenomena precisely because of its unpredictable uncertainty!
So…scientists persist in rejecting paranormal evidence even though it exhibits the very quantum uncertainty in the macro-universe they are searching for, but embrace through fanciful theories the idea of forcing uncertainty onto all other observations in the macro-universe that do not display the characteristics of this quantum effect.
Go figure.