HuffNo Friday Music Night: The Realm of Possibilities

One of the scientific discoveries that change our perception of reality the most in the twentieth century was quantum mechanics. Einstein’s theory of special relativity was the first theory of science that was not intuitive but it was still a theory based on deterministic classical physics. When quantum theory was developed by Schrödinger and Heisenberg it was neither intuitive or classic physics. In classic physics it was theorized that if you had the right set of equations any physical phenomenon could be predicted to 100% certainty. The Heisenberg uncertainty principle in quantum physics says exactly the opposite by saying the two physical properties like the position and momentum of a particle cannot be know with certainty. Moreover the Heisenberg principle says at the quantum level just observing the quantum state affects that quantum state. Einstein never accepted quantum mechanics to his own detriment because by not accepting reality he was never able to come up with a unified theory of physics which was his life’s goal.

The Heisenberg principle has implications in every day life when you think about social interactions. When different observers view the same event they come up with a different version of reality for themselves based on their past life experiences and personal physical and mental limitations. This is why most prosecutors would rather have direct DNA or other physical evidence in court rather than witness testimony. Because people view events differently based on their personal biases on a massive scale it can create an environment of mass denial within a group AKA the GOP.

One of the scientific discoveries that change our perception of reality the most in the twentieth century was quantum mechanics. Einstein’s theory of special relativity was the first theory of science that was not intuitive but it was still a theory based on deterministic classical physics. When quantum theory was developed by Schrödinger and Heisenberg it was neither intuitive or classic physics. In classic physics it was theorized that if you had the right set of equations any physical phenomenon could be predicted to 100% certainty. The Heisenberg uncertainty principle in quantum physics says exactly the opposite by saying the two physical properties like the position and momentum of a particle cannot be know with certainty. Moreover the Heisenberg principle says at the quantum level just observing the quantum state affects that quantum state. Einstein never accepted quantum mechanics to his own detriment because by not accepting reality he was never able to come up with a unified theory of physics which was his life’s goal.

The Heisenberg principle has implications in every day life when you think about social interactions. When different observers view the same event they come up with a different version of reality for themselves based on their past life experiences and personal physical and mental limitations. This is why most prosecutors would rather have direct DNA or other physical evidence in court rather than witness testimony. Because people view events differently based on their personal biases on a massive scale it can create an environment of mass denial within a group AKA the GOP.

Since the advent of quantum mechanics and the development of new theories like M-Theory (the theory of everything) scientific thought has expanded into the realm of what we once thought was impossible. QFT (quantum field theory) for example predicts mater can be instantaneously created and destroyed just out of the fabric of space in a vacuum no less. A subset of M-Theory string theory predicts that there are 11 dimensions and the possibility of multiverses existing in the same space. Based on the these relatively new theories any and every physical event is possible but we have to recognize that some things may be possible but the probabilities associated with it happening are so low like 1 in 10¹⁰⁰⁰ that they will never happen in the entire existence of our universe. However if something happens often enough and there is enough time it will occur. For example there would be no atoms or molecules if the very very improbable did not happen. In molecules p-orbitals are binodal meaning the pair of electrons occupy an orbital that is two lobes, but in actuality these orbitals are “attached” by a very low quantum possibility bridge. Because the space is so small in p-orbitals and elections move so fast they pass through this highly improbable bridge so frequently that the binodal orbitals are always filled in a molecule.

M-Theory relies on String Theory and they are closed stings that are free to roam and open strings that are “attached” to branes (folds that we perceive as our physical world). One unique way M-Theory deals with gravity unlike any theory is that it predicts the force of gravity to be a closed vibrating string that can pass within multiple dimensions where some dimensions act on the physical universe in a classic sense and some dimensions are beyond our interaction with the universe. This is why the force of gravity is perceived to be so low in our existence, while other forces like electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force and the weak nuclear force that have been unified by other theories are open strings that are attached to what we perceive as the physical world attributing to their relative strong field strength compared to gravity.

“I can live with doubt, and uncertainty, and not knowing. I think it’s much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong. I have approximate answers, and possible beliefs, and different degrees of certainty about different things, but I’m not absolutely sure of anything, and in many things I don’t know anything about, such as whether it means anything to ask why we’re here, and what the question might mean. I might think about a little, but if I can’t figure it out, then I go to something else. But I don’t have to know an answer. I don’t feel frightened by not knowing things, by being lost in a mysterious universe without having any purpose, which is the way it really is, as far as I can tell, possibly. It doesn’t frighten me.” —The Pleasure of Finding Things Out: The Best Short Works of Richard P. Feynman (edited by Jeffrey Robbins), 1999

To me in M-Theory there is an implied spirituality to the universe because events occur within and without our everyday perception. Think about it, things like psychics feeling the remnants of past traumatic events or feeling the echoes of people who are no longer with us could actually be their quantum echo in a dimension we cannot fully perceive. I know this may sound far out for some but when you finally accept that in our universe everything is possible even spirituality can have a scientific basis.

No I have not been smoking pot, not that there’s anything wrong with that, and yes let’s get onto tonight’s festivities. In honor of Les Paul’s passing this year I will post a few videos from some of my favorite electric guitarists of all time, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Page and Tom Morello.