Quantum physics movie - What the *$@ are we thinking? And upcoming movie

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers around the 2004 movie "What the *$@! Are We Thinking?" which explores themes of quantum physics and time travel. Participants discuss the implications of time travel as depicted in the film "A Sound of Thunder," where a butterfly's death alters the course of history. Key points include the challenges of traveling to the past versus the future, the concept of parallel universes, and the speculative nature of string theory. The conversation highlights the potential for popular media to misrepresent scientific concepts while also sparking interest in quantum physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic quantum physics principles
  • Familiarity with time travel theories in science fiction
  • Knowledge of string theory and its implications
  • Awareness of the butterfly effect in chaos theory
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of quantum mechanics and their real-world applications
  • Explore the butterfly effect and its significance in chaos theory
  • Study the fundamentals of string theory and its critiques
  • Analyze the portrayal of scientific concepts in popular media
USEFUL FOR

Science enthusiasts, filmmakers, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of quantum physics and popular culture.

  • #31
misogynisticfeminist said:
But I think that quantum physics is a very underexposed branch of science among the general public. And heck, some may even want to know more about it, and at least get some popular physics books regarding this (which points them in a correct direction).
The general public does not need to know about quantum mechanics.

What the general public needs is lessons on doing elementary algebra; understanding what makes for a logical/scientific argument; learning what elements, compounds, atoms and molecules are; knowing that Africa is not a country and that Nigeria is;...I could go on.
 
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  • #32
Gokul43201 said:
The general public does not need to know about quantum mechanics.

What the general public needs is lessons on doing elementary algebra; understanding what makes for a logical/scientific argument; learning what elements, compounds, atoms and molecules are; knowing that Africa is not a country and that Nigeria is;...I could go on.

Removing the didacticism from that statement, the general public needs to be independently capable of learning about the physical world. The Victorians didn't learn about the world from going to school. Why should anyone, except to escape the horrors of employment?

Who knows, maybe Africa will become a country someday. England is a country and yet it's part of the UK, a much larger country. :confused:
 
  • #33
this movie is pathetic, misinforming and disappointing... i can't believe people buy into the crap in this movie... :confused: :confused:
 
  • #34
I enjoyed it. maybe not for it's 'intellectual' statements, but the movie overall, I found to be good. I did find that it was misinforming.
 
  • #35
It even won awards...

I just watched this. And was so disgusted I had to find some like minded people so I came to PF (haven't been here since Feb last year(studies etc.)).

What really gets me is that they got awards! 5 infact, 2 are audience awards though, so don't count. But these two...

Apr 5, 2004 - Ashland Independent Film Festival 2004
Best Documentary
"...this is one of those films you want everyone on the planet to see." Ashland Independent Film Festival

Mar 11, 2004 - DC Independent Film Festival 2004
Grand Jury Documentary
"...this amazing award winning film is a radical departure from convention. It demands a freedom of view and greatness of thought so far unknown, indeed, not even dreamed of since Copernicus." Washington DC Independent Film Festival

Peuwwww!

What if I make a documentary that that conclusively shows that Jesus was a dedicated Bhuddist. Am I going to get "Thought provoking" and such trash awards? I sure hope that somebody will look into my research before giving me an award, why did it not happen here?

Lastly, somewhere in the movie the one guy says that in american labs some people have done experiments where an object is in 2 places at the same time...and they have photos that show 2 points of light, That (Wow!) does not come from 2 objects, but from the one object in 2 places. Wow!

Why didn't anybody tell me of this before the movie? I'm going to slap my Professor.
 
  • #36
Just saw the sequel, "What the Bleep?! -- Down the Rabbit Hole". Not too good. It was exactly the same as the first one with some extra footage of the photographer and more animation...it was 3 hours long...
 
  • #37
For real scientific documentaries, watch the Science Channel.
 
  • #38
Never sw the movie, but I think I know its kind. Sigh, this movie, and those other books and documentaries like it, just help create all those people that think they can understand general relativity with ever taking an intro to physics course or understanding algebra. Sigh...
 
  • #39
The new one had some "better" science. but they had a lot of the old crap and the same "experts"
 
  • #40
Kaer Fyzarc said:
Lastly, somewhere in the movie the one guy says that in american labs some people have done experiments where an object is in 2 places at the same time...and they have photos that show 2 points of light, That (Wow!) does not come from 2 objects, but from the one object in 2 places. Wow!

Mysticism attracts mystics.

One should see this movie as a necessary consequence of the content of the theory.

http://www.google.com/search?q=mysticism+quantum+mechanics
 
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  • #41
I remember when this movie rose to pseudo-fame across messageboards. People thought they were experts on quantum theory because they had seen this movie 'What the...'
It was quite sickening to see the boards of certain sites filled with 'My theory of quantum singularity..' or 'My infinite universe quantum...' or some quantum mumbojumbo (I still use that word). I tried explaining to people that what they were posting was not science or physics but metaphysics, closer to what you will hear in a philosophy class.
Never saw the movie myself, I stick to Quantum Leap...way more scientific.:rolleyes:
 
  • #42
It played on TMN where I'm from, and I got bored after a few minutes.

I've learned to scan crackpots within seconds.
 

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