General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Searching For The Science Behind Reincarnation [View all]G_j
(40,567 posts)"The Enigma in a Nutshell
All of physics is based on quantum theory. Its the most battle-tested theory in all of science. And one-third of our economy involves products designed with it. Quantum theory works for fundamental science and for practical applications.
However, this reliable and useful physics challenges any reasonable worldview. It actually denies the existence of a physically real world independent of its observation. It also tells of a strange connectedness.
Demonstrating quantum strangeness is practical only for small objects, though as technology improves, its being displayed for larger and larger things. Quantum theory is presumed to be valid for everything. Quantum cosmologists apply it for the whole of the early universe.
Here are quantum theorys reality and connectedness problems in a nutshell:
Reality: By your free choice you could demonstrate either of two contradictory physical realities. You can, for example, demonstrate an object to be someplace. But you could have chosen to demonstrate the opposite: that it was not in that place. Observation created the objects position. Quantum theory has all properties created by their observation.
Connectedness: Quantum theory tells that any things that have ever interacted are forever connected, entangled. For example, your friends freely made decision of what to do in Moscow (or on Mars) can instantaneously (though randomly) influence what happens to you in Manhattan. And this happens without any physical force involved. Einstein called such influences spooky actions. Theyve now been demonstrated to exist. But for human-scale things, the effect is impossible to detect, for all practical purposes. It is averaged out by all the other things that are happening. But nevertheless
Two more comments:
The quantum weirdness is not hard to understandeven with zero physics background. But its almost impossible to believe . When someone tells you something you cant believe, you might well think you dont understand. But believing might be the real problem. Its best to approach the subject with an open mind. Thats not easy.
The experimental facts basic to the quantum enigma are undisputed. But talking of the encounter of physics with non-physical stuff like consciousness is controversial. Its been called our skeleton in the closet. You can look at the undisputed facts, and ponder for yourself what they mean."