How to talk about interpretations

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The discussion centers on how to effectively address interpretation-dependent questions in physics without inciting "interpretation wars." Participants agree that interpretations are merely psychological preferences that yield the same experimental results, making no single interpretation superior. They emphasize the challenge of explaining complex concepts to newcomers who may lack the necessary background, as oversimplified answers can lead to confusion. A balanced approach involves providing accurate information while acknowledging the limitations of different interpretations, ensuring clarity without bias. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the need for careful communication in conveying nuanced scientific ideas.
  • #61
bhobba said:
On the surface that is contradictory - I think you need to expand on it..

Between any two pure states of QM a continuous transformation can always be found.
Assuming the initial pure state (1,0) corresponds to clicks on channel A of an SG filter and the final state (0,1) corresponds to clicks on channel B of the same filter, a continuous transformation of state (1,0) into state (0,1) through a continuous family of intermediate states formalised into complex vectors implies that at some point the association between intermediate states and the respective channels A and B will change. This change in the correspondence between components of the state vector and the channels enabling their manifestation as "clicks" of the detectors cannot be continuous.
 
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  • #62
Sugdub said:
Assuming the initial pure state (1,0) corresponds to clicks on channel A of an SG filter and the final state (0,1) corresponds to clicks on channel B of the same filter, a continuous transformation of state (1,0) into state (0,1) through a continuous family of intermediate states formalised into complex vectors implies that at some point the association between intermediate states and the respective channels A and B will change. This change in the correspondence between components of the state vector and the channels enabling their manifestation as "clicks" of the detectors cannot be continuous.

That's incorrect.

A continuous transformation exists between such states, as it does between any two states.

A little linear algebra easily shows this.

Thanks
Bill
 
  • #63
OK, this thread has gone off on a tangent.
 

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