Jacob Barandes and Manolis Kellis: What Quantum Physics Got Wrong

Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

Curt Jaimungal

Physics, Philosophy, Society & Culture, Science

4.6 • 606 Ratings

🗓️ 4 February 2025

⏱️ 116 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jacob Barandes and Manolis Kellis explore how quantum physics intersects with biology and consciousness, questioning the foundations of reality and the role of the observer. They examine decoherence, quantum computing, and potential applications in medicine and life sciences.- 0:00 - Introduction- 6:23 - Metaphysics and physics boundaries- 8:53 - Does existence matter?- 15:35 - Quantum physics nature of reality- 21:35 - Understanding life through physics- 27:56 - Observer effect in quantum theory- 36:02 - Gauge potentials and their reality- 46:11 - Birth of quantum mechanics- 54:42 - Quantum superposition and action at a distance- 1:01:20 - Decoherence explained- 1:02:18 - Observer's role- 1:03:43 - Size and decoherence- 1:04:35 - Quantum computing and investments- 1:07:33 - Practical applications of quantum theory- 1:10:14 - Quantum computers: what are they good for?- 1:11:24 - Markov process debate- 1:15:18 - Causal modeling in medicine- 1:16:56 - Quantum effects in biology- 1:21:15 - Consciousness and quantum mechanics- 1:27:03 - Non‑locality and quantum theory- 1:31:46 - Historical shift in physics- 1:35:15 - Beables and their nature- 1:47:17 - Hard problem of consciousness- 1:51:41 - P‑Zombie conceptSPONSORS:- I personally subscribe to The Economist. TOE listeners get 35% off the annual subscription. No other podcast has this! https://economist.com/TOE- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungalRESOURCES:- "The Mending of Broken Bones: A Modern Guide to Classical Algebra" by Paul Lockhart https://amzn.to/3EmfDP9- "Dreaming Reality: How Neuroscience and Mysticism Can Unlock the Secrets of Consciousness" by Vladimir Miskovic and Steven Jay Lynn https://amzn.to/42y1KYi- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Enjoy on Spotify (with video!): https://tinyurl.com/SpotifyTOE- Become a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Shopify. With Shopify, 2026 is the year you make it happen. It gives you the tools to build your dream store, online and in person. Plus with marketing built in, it'll help you reach exactly who you need to. Join the millions who've already made the leap, like Jim Shark and all birds, and ring in the new year with Shopify.
0:23.4	Sign up for your £1 per month trial at Shopify.com.uk.com.com.
0:29.8	Every time my physics says to you, quantum physics has demonstrated that a particle can be in two places at once.
0:35.6	They are lying to you.
0:44.1	Biology, consciousness, causation, and quantum physics, what is the connection?
0:49.3	My name is Kurtzimungle, and this was part of my three-day tour of Harvard, Tufts, and MIT,
0:55.1	where I recorded five podcasts, including a frolicsome salon discussion hosted by MIT's Manolus Kellis, one of the world's top computational biologists. A few weeks ago, Manolus graciously
1:00.3	offered to host both me and Harvard's theoretical physicist and philosopher Jacob Brandis
1:05.2	for a salon on the nature of quantum theory. This event is unlike any podcast that you've seen or
1:10.5	heard due to the
1:11.6	extemporaneous dynamism of the over 70 people who showed up within just a few days' notice.
1:16.8	The other podcast from this tour feature Mike 11 and Anna Chownica, as well as a separate
1:21.9	discussion in over seven hours long one with technical and concrete information regarding
1:26.4	Jacob's approach to indivisible
1:28.4	stochastic processes. Subscribe to get notified. For now, enjoy this jazz-like conversation regarding
1:34.2	fundamental questions such as do quantum fields actually exist? What's the problem with many worlds? Do
1:40.1	parallel universes solve anything? And what makes observers like you special.
1:46.8	So, Jacob, can you just give us a little introduction into what you do?
1:50.6	Tell us like maybe two, three minutes about your journey.
1:53.3	How did you get where you are?
1:54.3	What are you passionate about?
1:55.7	What are you the most excited about?
	...

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