A new quantum experiment published in Nature Physics puts the “Wigner’s friend” thought experiment to the test. It could tell us more about the role that consciousness plays in quantum physics (if any)—and even whether quantum theory must be replaced: scientificamerican.com/article/this-t…
Loved writing this. Some of my fave quotes: Team member Howard Wiseman on a possible future version w/ an AI 'friend' on a quantum computer, to test if consciousness causes collapse: “I don’t think I will live to see an experiment like this...But that would be revolutionary.”
Michele Reilly responds that test will be impossible: “It’s not inconceivable to me that quantum computers will be the paradigm shift to get to us into AGI,” but, “Ultimately, we need a theory of everything in order to build an AGI on a quantum computer, period, full stop.”
Renato Renner thinks the paper proves that quantum physics needs replacing. It “is another confirmation that we have a problem with current quantum theory.” Maybe only QBism can get by the recent set of paradoxes and constraints from this and similar Wigner’s friend analyses.
At the other end of the spectrum, physicist Lev Vaidman says the experiment is “ridiculous” because it identifies a photon as a stand-in for a human “friend.” Philosopher Tim Maudlin agrees: “Nobody thinks a photon is an observer, unless you are a panpsychic,” he says.
But Aephraim Steinberg says it’s an “important step forward in the field of experimental metaphysics,” and “the beginning of what I expect will be a huge program of research.”
And for another take which delves into the background & philosophical ramifications read @gmusser piece: sciencemag.org/news/2020/08/q… "Most physicists, they think: ‘That’s just philosophical mumbo-jumbo,’” says team member Eric Cavalcanti. “They will have a hard time.”
