Editing 1240: Quantum Mechanics
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | This comic plays with the fact that {{w|quantum mechanics}} is a very complex subject that is frequently misapplied by laymen. Many of the phenomena studied in quantum mechanics are | + | This comic plays with the fact that {{w|quantum mechanics}} is a very complex subject{{Citation needed}} that is frequently misapplied by laymen. Many of the phenomena studied in quantum mechanics are counter to common sense and can only be expressed in complex mathematics. Yet, since the field is fundamental to our understanding of reality, it is commonly cited to support broad sweeping philosophical generalizations. |
− | + | [[Cueball]] uses quantum mechanics to argue that dogs must have souls, even when quantum mechanics is not applicable to macroscopic bodies. But it's a reference to the concept of an '{{w|Observer (quantum physics)|observer}}' in quantum physics, as well as theories about the {{w|Von Neumann–Wigner interpretation|collapse of wave functions}}. However the vast majority of people do not have a sufficient understanding of quantum mechanics to judge if his statement is correct. Nevertheless, Randall's message is, you don't need to understand quantum mechanics to judge the statement. No matter what the sentence is, it is almost certainly incorrect, so "you can safely ignore" it. | |
− | + | The title text makes a reservation for scientific statements that really involve quantum mechanics but only if "quantum mechanics" is not the most complicated term in the sentence. This is saying that this problem even extends past discussions about philosophy to science assertions. However, you can tell when a scientist is correctly applying quantum mechanics, because, to do so, they will have to use phrases more complicated than "quantum mechanics." So since "quantum mechanics" is a sophisticated term, most people still do not understand, you may safely ignore them. | |
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==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :[Cueball and Ponytail stand facing each other, talking. Cueball has a | + | :[Cueball and Ponytail stand facing each other, talking. Cueball has a dog on a leash.] |
− | :Cueball: But dogs can observe the world, which means that according to quantum mechanics they | + | :Cueball: But dogs can observe the world, which means that according to quantum mechanics they must have souls. |
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:'''Protip''': You can safely ignore any sentence that includes the phrase "According to quantum mechanics". | :'''Protip''': You can safely ignore any sentence that includes the phrase "According to quantum mechanics". | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
− | + | Niels Bohr's quote: | |
− | + | ''If quantum mechanics hasn't profoundly shocked you, you haven't understood it yet.'' | |
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
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[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Protip]] | ||
[[Category:Physics]] | [[Category:Physics]] | ||
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