Wigner's Friend and algorithmic information

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the intersection of quantum mechanics (QM), subjective realities, and algorithmic information theory, particularly in the context of Wigner's Friend thought experiment. Participants explore how these concepts could be woven into narrative storytelling, examining the implications of subjective experiences and reality perception.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses excitement about integrating Markus Muller's ideas on reality and algorithmic information theory with Wigner's Friend, questioning how subjective realities might interact and whether solipsism is a viable explanation.
  • Another participant comments on the challenges of writing accessible stories about QM, referencing authors like Greg Egan and Andrew Crumey, and suggests that the complexity of QM narratives can polarize readers.
  • A participant shares their impression that observers are crucial in establishing events in reality, proposing that reality might be an illusion shaped by consciousness based on informational inputs.
  • Multiple participants recommend reading Greg Egan's "Quarantine," indicating its relevance to the themes discussed and suggesting it may already address the narrative ideas being explored.
  • One participant humorously requests an explanation of "Quarantine," acknowledging the complexity of its themes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the nature of reality and subjective experiences, with no consensus reached on how these concepts should be integrated into storytelling. The discussion remains open-ended with various interpretations and suggestions.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity and ambiguity surrounding the concepts of reality and consciousness in QM, with some expressing uncertainty about their understanding and the implications for narrative development.

Who May Find This Useful

Writers interested in incorporating quantum mechanics and philosophical questions about reality into their narratives, as well as readers exploring the intersection of science fiction and theoretical physics.

sayetsu
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I'm working on a novel involving QM ideas. What I'm most excited about is the prospect of taking a view on Markus Muller's propositions involving reality and algorithmic information theory. I'm trying to make it work with the Wigner's Friend thought experiment. Are there any ideas on how subjective realities could interact, or is solipsism our best guess? :O
 
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QM is a really hard subject to write accessible stories about in detail, @sayetsu. Greg Egan is possibly the best known author who tries, and many of his novels contain impenetrable sequences that I'm sure make sense to those in the know, but outside of that...well, reviews of his books tell the story.

Likewise, Mobius Dick by Andrew Crumey, which explores 'what is reality' and which left readers generally polarized, with one review titled, "Was this even a book" (while giving it 3-stars, go figure!).

Microsoft released a free shorts collection that included an interesting QM story by Greg Bear, The Machine Starts. I found that you have to pay attention to visualize what's going on, and while it is MWI-based, it conveys the complexity of delivering a QM themed narrative to the lay reader.

sayetsu said:
Are there any ideas on how subjective realities could interact, or is solipsism our best guess?

What is your story intended to say? It is hard to provide advice without some indication of your intent, because this could literally take you anywhere. For example, I am convinced that English magician Steven Frayne, better known as Dynamo, has access to the QM realm, and his 'magic' is mere manipulation of other threads of reality, where he drags the outcome into our view, such that "Voila", something impossible happens. There is no other explanation, surely :wink:

Being serious, once you have the premise of your narrative, answers to how you treat aspects such as solipsism should fall out naturally.
 
My impression from what I've read is that observers play a key role in the establishment of events in reality. Whether these events happen in something like spacetime, matter, and energy, I'm unsure. Reading between tthe lines of Muller's paper, I think it's plausible that the former aspects of "reality" are an illusion created by our consciousnesses to make sense of the informational input they receive as reality unfolds through their participation. I'm going stream-of-consciousness here; it's still mushy in my head. That's why I'm looking for more to learn.
 
You should definitely read Quarantine by Greg Egan. You may find the book you want to write already exists.
 
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Oh, great. D: Thanks, though.
 
Ryan_m_b said:
You should definitely read Quarantine by Greg Egan.

And if you understand it, @sayetsu, can you explain it to me :-p (That's only semi silly, I've read Quarantine three times and the nuances still elude me!)
 

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