Still Particles: Impact on Our World

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the hypothetical scenario of all particles being motionless and its implications on the nature of reality, experience, and fundamental physical laws. It touches on concepts from quantum mechanics and general relativity, as well as the subjective experience of existence in such a state.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the concept of "standing still" by asking what it would be relative to, suggesting that if all particles were motionless, gravity might not function as it does in our current understanding.
  • Another participant humorously suggests that if all particles were still, it would lead to a lack of life, proposing that in such a scenario, existence would be dull and limited to watching re-runs of a cartoon.
  • A participant references Werner Heisenberg, implying that the scenario contradicts principles of quantum mechanics, though this claim is challenged by another participant who asks for certainty regarding that assertion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of particles being motionless, with some focusing on the physical consequences and others on the subjective experience. No consensus is reached regarding the validity of the scenario or its implications.

Contextual Notes

The discussion lacks clarity on the definitions of motion and stillness, and the implications of such a state on physical laws remain unresolved. The hypothetical nature of the scenario introduces various assumptions that are not explicitly stated.

Thallium
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What if all particles were not moving but standing still. What would it be like then? If it was so on the quantum level would that affect the way we experience the world?
 
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Standing still relative to what exactly?

If all particles were motionless in space-time, I don't think gravity would work anymore. If everything were static, it wouldn't matter if space-time was curved or not, nothing would be moving to follow the curvatures so curved space-time would have no effect. As far as other implications, I'm not really sure.
 
Werner Heisenberg would not be pleased.

Doug
 
Originally posted by Mathechyst
Werner Heisenberg would not be pleased.

Doug

Are you certain of that?
 
If all particles were standing still you'd be dead. But if there was some way of you and I and everyone surviving this and observe the universe at a standstill, we'd be bored out of our skulls and have to watch re-runs of Sponge Bob for entertainment.
 

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