Did you find the implications of quantum physics disturbing? Did learning about quantum physics cause a paradigm shift in your worldview? Why or why not?
2006-07-22 14:18:47 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
jonyklein - Well very good Mr. Pedantic. Would you like to answer the question?
2006-07-22 14:38:31 · update #1
gdt - Excellent answer, best so far IMO. Yes, once you get over it, it does leave you wanting more! I also read The Non-Local Universe, fascinating stuff! I need to read The Holographic Universe next.
2006-07-22 14:44:14 · update #2
LOL @ Jason T.
2006-07-22 18:54:36 · update #3
I don't find quantum physics or cosmology disturbing, at least not anymore. But wave/particle duality did cause a paradigm shift that fascinated me no end. Non-locality hit me pretty hard too. Finally, string theory/m-theory is opening up whole new conception and comprehension for me. It's the unification possibility between relativity and quantum physics that holds my attention lately. On the other hand, I have to say that having had one major pardigm shift leaves me hungering for more. Once you have a shift like that, it makes it easier to contemplate another one that may be in store for us if holographic theory starts to hold water so to speak. The only "disturbance" I've really suffered is realizing that reality is not at all what I thought it was, but even then, I am more fascinated than disturbed really. I only get disturbed when I try to explain things to those I call non-believers (ironically) that simply think you are crazy to put any stock in the wierd wold of quantum physics that they (out of pure ignorance) consider to be so much science fiction-like nonsense.
2006-07-22 14:36:29 · answer #1 · answered by gdt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not disturbing, but certainly fascinating. It meant that we were not entirely understanding our world. Like, when you're a kid and you see a bull mounting a cow, and you say, look Mom and Dad--they're fighting! Then as you get older you realize you completely misunderstood what was going on.
I've been thinking about relativity and quantum physics for forty years now, and it makes perfect sense to me. More than they did to Einstein or Bohr, I have to add. But you're right, once you grasp what quantum physics says, you either have to accept a paradigm shift or just shut it out.
2006-07-22 16:14:04 · answer #2 · answered by stanheidrich 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. The theory of Cosmoloy itself, which embraces quantum physics, caused a paradigm shift in my world view. Disturbing? No, damn fascinating is more like it.
2006-07-22 14:21:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I found it very odd - not really disturbing. Quite cool actually. Of course I don't know a lot of details about it - I watched some show on PBS haha. Stuff about Quantum Physics and String Theory. Intriguing.
2006-07-22 14:26:58 · answer #4 · answered by BeC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you have to be at least a little 'disturbed' to actually understand Quantum Physics.
At least it helps me.
It didn't much change my views of the world in general, since quantum effects are not apparent in daily life, but it did radically alter my views of the microcosmic universe for the better.
2006-07-22 20:32:52 · answer #5 · answered by Jay T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. And yet it comforts me, too, knowing that certain quantum realities are going really well for some of my other quantum selves. It takes some of the pressure off. I like the idea of all matter being energy fields.
2006-07-22 22:47:27 · answer #6 · answered by Zrk Zyzyk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bohr atomic model bothered me to the point of developing an atomic model that does not violate physical laws and which depends upon gravity being a force which acts upon this universe not from within it. It requires no strong or weak nuclear forces.
2006-07-22 14:23:28 · answer #7 · answered by Sleeping Troll 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it disturbs me because I think it's garbage, a colaboration for commercial exploitation. Since the atomic bomb everything else is crap, unless it has something to with decreasing world contamination of neuclear waste. That is something I have been thinking about, using waste for further energy generation in neuclear fission to the dividend of zero atomic waste.
'Quantum' as a word was first used by Hegel in the early 18th century.
http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/hegel/works/hl/hl217.htm
2006-07-22 14:37:18 · answer #8 · answered by Psyengine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nuclear physics disturbed me for a good 4 years. I tried to figure out a way to get a bag of nuetrons.
2006-07-22 14:54:29 · answer #9 · answered by Jason T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah, Niels Bohr. "The most aptly named of all Danish physicists." Quantum physics doesn't disturb me especially, but maybe because I don't really understand it. ;-P
2006-07-22 14:23:03 · answer #10 · answered by The Bulletproof Monk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋