Quantum Interpretation Poll (2011)

[harrylin]

I believe I understand QM.

I rely on this august group of physicists to disabuse me of my illusion.

I begin by assuming the two most accurate and proven theories in physics are correct; QM and general relativity.

1. Relativity says that we exist in a 4 dimensional universe that we apprehend as a 3 dimensional universe. Einstein believed that this was an "illusion." 2. [..]

Not exactly; "space is a three-dimensional continuum" - clarification here:
http://www.bartleby.com/173/17.html

4. The Schrödinger equation describes particles as waves that permeate all of space-time, i.e. existing in a 4 dimensional "block universe" that we find particularly difficult to conceptualize.

"block universe discussion here:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=567395
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=595021
The threads are still open for your comments.

5. Decoherence occurs when these waves encounter electromagnetic forces that compel them to appear as particles in that particular 3 dimensional subset. Information theory has shown that additional dimensions add enormously to the amount of information that can be held by any bit. This is why waves in 4 dimensions appear to us in 3 dimensions as particles. The old "Flatland" metaphor illustrates this perfectly. [..]

Do you have a link? The only wave descriptions that I know are propagation in space as function of time - thus "3+1"D.

8. [.. relativity of simultneity ..] Waves allow matter to appear anywhere in the 4 dimensional block universe where it happens to get decohered through the force of electromagnetism. [..]

I'm afraid that I have never read something like that...
According to relativity, waves cannot propagate faster than c. Perhaps you overestimate what relativity of simultaneity can do. See: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=575332

Bottom line, if you believe relativity is correct, quantum "weirdness" is a necessary result. Without wave-particle duality and quantum indeterminacy, relativity would have to be wrong. With it, it works like a charm.

Please help me understand why the above has been proven to be incorrect.

I'm searching for experimentally proven facts to blow this "understanding" out of the water!

First how SR works (and how it does not work) should be understood, and next the issue that "EPR" had with entanglement. And then Bell's theorem. After that, you could search for discussions about Bell inequality experiments end so.