Many Worlds and the arrow of time

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Many Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics, specifically examining the concept of branching as a derivative of time. The author posits that branching represents an exponential change in both space and time, suggesting that time can only move forward due to the logical consistency of choices across branches. The conversation also highlights the importance of viewing the universe from a holistic perspective, emphasizing that the notion of branching is ambiguous and should be analyzed through Quantum Decoherence. Ultimately, the discussion concludes that MWI does not provide unique insights regarding the arrow of time.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Many Worlds Interpretation (MWI)
  • Familiarity with Quantum Decoherence
  • Basic knowledge of quantum mechanics principles
  • Concept of space-time in physics
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  • Explore the implications of Quantum Decoherence on MWI
  • Research the mathematical framework of space-time in quantum mechanics
  • Investigate the philosophical implications of branching in MWI
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Physicists, philosophers of science, and students of quantum mechanics seeking to deepen their understanding of the Many Worlds Interpretation and its implications for the nature of time.

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I had a couple of interesting thoughts today on the matter of Many Worlds. First is that, in a way, I think the so-called "branching" posited for MWI could be thought of as a derivative of time. For example, time is the derivative of space (i.e. using change in space with respect to time)... then branching is kind of exponential (infinite?) change with respect to both space and time. I can't think of a good way to represent this idea other than to say if space-time is a square, then space-time-branching is a cube. Or perhaps, branching is "every" space-time that's possible.

Which brings the next idea... that if this branching is indeed occurring, then that would force time to move forward only. My reasoning is that with each quantum moment, these branches continue "expanding" and branching more. Let's suppose that I decide to go back in time... I can't unless "me" in all of the associated branches also decide to go back in time. Because "me" has logically consistent choices that involve not going back in time, we know that some of them won't. Therefore, none of them actually could. Therefore, time can only go forward. The only exception would be if there were some way to eliminate the logical possibility of moving forward in time, which would force time to either stop, or move backward. The other, slight, possibility is that you could move backward in time, but that it would be imperceptible as the movement would be "complete" in that it would reverse all memories, knowledge, and information - as if you had never moved forward in time.
 
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no, there is nothing special in MWI with arrow of time.
You should look at it from 'birds's view' - looking at the Universe Wavefunction.
From that point of view, there is no 'branching' (the definition of branching is quite fuzzy: it is studied by Quantum Decoherence, but QD uses some basis, hence, it uses some frog's (observer) perspective).
 
MWI gives 'birth' to complete histories, and nothing about a QM Interpretation can be useful if it contradicts basic tenants of QM.
 

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