Can a Computer Generate Precognition Through Positron Experimentation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of whether a computer could generate precognition through the experimentation with positrons. Participants explore the implications of positron behavior, particularly in relation to time and the interpretations of Feynman's work on antimatter.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests a scenario where a computer generates a random number that corresponds to the number of positrons emitted, questioning the outcome based on Feynman's assertion that antimatter moves backwards in time.
  • Another participant clarifies that while antimatter can be described as moving backwards in time, it is created in colliders and moves forward in time, challenging the initial premise.
  • A participant references Feynman diagrams to illustrate the concept of positrons moving backwards in time during annihilation with electrons, raising questions about the interpretation of time flow in these diagrams.
  • Further clarification is provided regarding the mathematical manipulation that equates particles moving backward in time with antiparticles moving forward, suggesting that such backward-moving particles are more theoretical than physical.
  • One participant posits that if sending a positron backwards in time were possible, it could be trapped like an electron, but concludes that this is technically impossible.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing interpretations of Feynman's ideas and the implications of antimatter behavior, indicating that multiple competing views remain without consensus on the feasibility of the proposed scenario.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the nature of time in relation to positrons and the implications of Feynman's theories, as well as the technical feasibility of manipulating positrons in the proposed manner.

rhenretta
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I'm sure there is a simple explanation as to why this wouldn't work, please enlighten me.

Take a computer, which generates a random number. When the number is generated, a positron gun shoots out that exact number of positrons into a vacuum with a magnetic field. On the other end of the vacuum, a detector waits to read the number of positrons, then display that number.

I'm torn on what would actually happen here. According to Feynman, anti mater moves backwards in time. However, under the same hypothesis, a PET scanner would return an image before the positrons were ever emitted, and that obviously doesn't happen.
 
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rhenretta said:
According to Feynman, anti mater moves backwards in time.

I think the statement you are looking for is:

Matter moving forward in time is indistinguishable from anti-matter moving backward in time. And vice versa.

Anti-matter is routinely created in colliders, and it moves forward in time.
 
But what about the Feynman diagrams showing positrons moving backwards in time when they annihilate with an electron?
ie
http://www.howgravityworks.org/images/300px-electron-positron-annihilation_svg_gcnc.png
 
rhenretta said:
But what about the Feynman diagrams showing positrons moving backwards in time when they annihilate with an electron?
ie
http://www.howgravityworks.org/images/300px-electron-positron-annihilation_svg_gcnc.png

Time flows horizontally from left to right in this diagram. The arrows do go forward in time.

There is a mathematical manipulation which consists in identifying a particle moving backward in time with negative energy as an antiparticle moving forward in time with positive energy. It is the condition of energy positivity which assigns the proper time flow. Those particles moving backward in time are curiosities rather than physical.
 
So, if I understand this correctly, if it were technically possible to send a positron backwards in time then we would be able to trap it in a wire in exactly the same way as we do with electrons. The problem is, it is technically impossible to send even a positron backwards in time...
 

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