Re: Quantum Babbage Machine? Nanotube Superposition?




Hi, Jimi and Sanman,

I know it's counterintuitive, etc., etc., but the paradox of
Schroedinger's cat is very much alive, even if the cat itself has long
since died. Although the collapse of the wavefunction is an essential
part of the prevailing Copenhagen interpretation of quantum theory, the
Everett interpretation says that it never happens. Noone has ever come
up with a satisfactory theory of the collapse process, or conclusively
demonstrated its existence.

Check out http://www.hedweb.com/everett/everett.htm

There is a long-known paradox due to Hund (of Hund's rule fame) to do
with chiral molecules. If the Copenhagen interpretation were correct,
then measuring the optical rotation of a solution of glucose should
lead to its immediate racemization. In fact, it does not racemize.
Conclusion: superposed states can last a long time, and yes, nanotubes
can bend two ways at once.

Cheers,

Zigoteau.


.

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