Sunday 22 January 2017

Quantum Time

Quantum Mechanics
What is it?
Can subatomic indeterminacy coexist with macrocosmic determinism? (I think so: see here.)

Dimensions
How many are there?
Is time a fourth dimension?

How do quanta and dimensions interact?
(i) In Poul Anderson's Time Patrol series, time travel requires 4N dimensions and causality violation is described as quantum indeterminacy on the macroscopic level. Thus, time travel links multiple dimensions to macroscopic indeterminacy.

(ii) "The attempts thus far to reconcile the quantum microcosm with the classic macrocosm have led to such mind-wrenching extravagances as string theory, notions that require extra dimensions, ranging between ten and twenty-six, before the mathematics will make sense."
-Alan Moore, Jerusalem (London, 2016), pp. 781-782.

Thus, string theory synthesis of quantum mechanics with classical physics requires additional dimensions - although not as many as 4N of them!

1 comment:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

And in some of his works, such as "Delenda Est" and THREE HEARTS AND THREE LIONS, Poul Anderson gave thought to how some philosophized about science. Perhaps I should include GENESIS as well.

Sean