Can the wave function collapse before being measured?

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The discussion centers on whether the wave function can collapse before measurement, with some participants questioning the implications of faster-than-light wave collapse in quantum entanglement. There is skepticism about the relevance of the wave collapse concept, with suggestions that it is misleading and lacks physical reality. The conversation touches on retrocausality and its relation to quantum mechanics, indicating a potential confusion between theoretical concepts and practical applications. Participants express frustration over repeated inquiries about wave collapse, urging a shift away from this topic. Ultimately, the debate reflects ongoing uncertainty and differing interpretations within quantum mechanics.
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N.B. I am not trying to send information back in time or generate infinite free energy (also I couldn't find how to delete the other thread but could a moderator please delete it for me)

If you could send classical information signals faster than light, then according to relativity you could communicate backwards in time.

The wave collapse for quantum entanglement travels faster than light. So can wave collapse happen to a quantum state caused by a future measurement or did I make a mistake? If it is true what does it imply?
 
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This is your 3rd question about collapse...
Your next question will be about collapse before the very first measurement device was formed.
Just forget about the collapse...
It is completely misleading and obsolete concept
 
Last edited:
Dmitry67 said:
This is your 3rd question about collapse...
Your next question will be about collapse before the very first measurement device was formed.
Just forget about the collapse...
It is completely misleading and obsolete concept

Too true.

Least Action... you're asking practical question about an abstract concept that is only useful as a mechanism in the formalism of QM... it probably has no physical reality. I can't tell if you're trying to understand retrocausality as in DCQE experiments, or if you're futzing around with time travel.
 
I am slowly going through the book 'What Is a Quantum Field Theory?' by Michel Talagrand. I came across the following quote: One does not" prove” the basic principles of Quantum Mechanics. The ultimate test for a model is the agreement of its predictions with experiments. Although it may seem trite, it does fit in with my modelling view of QM. The more I think about it, the more I believe it could be saying something quite profound. For example, precisely what is the justification of...

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