Lee Smolin: The quantum universe as a collection of partial views of itself. QISS Virtual Seminar

QISS Virtual Seminar
Lee Smolin, Perimeter Institute
Title: The quantum universe as a collection of partial views of itself

Abstract: I describe a recent proposal for a simultaneous completion of quantum mechanics and general relativity, called the causal theory of views (CTV). Among its postulates are that time, in the sense of causal relations amongst events, is fundamental, and that space is emergent-along with everything that depends on space, such as distances, derivatives, fields, locality, non-locality etc. Also assumed real and fundamental are energy and momentum. Each event than has a view of the rest of the universe, which is made by the energy and momentum transferred to it by its causal precedents. To define dynamics we must introduce a measure of distance on the space of views. The idea is that differences of views substitutes for spacial distances and derivatives. The potential energy is then postulated to be a measure of the total diversity of views in the universe, called the variety. The kinetic energy is then related to the variety’s rate of change under causal evolution. The dynamics is defined by a sum over causal histories, from which space and spacetime emerge at the semiclassical approximation. N body nonrelativistic quantum mechanics is also derived, due to the variety reducing to Bohm’s quantum potential. Further steps are sketched.Based on papers: arXiv:1712.04799. with Marina Cortes: arXiv:1307.6167, arXiv:1407.0032, arXiv:1703.09696 , arXiv:1902.05082,
arXiv:1104.2822, arXiv:1506.02938, arXiv:1205.3707

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About QISS

The goal of QISS is to explore and connect the research domains of Quantum Information/Computing, Quantum Gravity and Quantum Foundations. Main objectives are to found the physics of quantum spacetime on an information-theoretic basis, to bring within reach empirical access to quantum gravity in 'table-top' laboratory conditions by exploiting rapid advances in quantum computing related technologies and using quantum information theoretic concepts, and to promote an extensive interaction between physicists and philosophers on the conceptual role of information in spacetime physics.

[samsungtelevision]

Wow this channel is ridiculously underrated. Keep up the good work, instant subscribe

[johnstifter]

Lee Smolin is amazing to me in that he can present these ideas in an accessible way. I've listened to many of his lectures, he is the easiest for me to listen to and understand as an artist and thinker that wants to incorporate these into films.

[trumps_on_epsteins_airplane]

It's amazing that I can find this video, not even as a physics student, months from it's intimate airing... Thank you Lee Smolin and also thanks to each of the individuals who put questions forth. I'm obsessed with these questions, as a spectator and engineer and frankly this explanation of time and space is the first that's made sense to me as a laymen. I find the correlations to biology incredibly compelling

[StephenPaulKing]

The "outside" of a universe, in Smolin's picture, is the event horizon of a black hole in another universe, therefore interactions between universes happens between event horizons. We can, for example, apply ER=EPR ideas, etc..

[enterprisesoftwarearchitect]

It’s awesome that he has formulas for the action and equations of motion; who else has that!?

[farooqueparvez]

Thanks Lee
The ideas are so profound and striking, may change understanding of the
If you have PDF file of this slides please share with us .
..

[Lincoln_Bio]

39:00 I know a multiway causal hypergraph when I see one ;) Seeing several parallels with the Wolfram/Gorard model here, fascinating

[KaliFissure]

THIS. i really need to chat with Lee. One single infinitesimal sphere but inverted so that each point on interior of sphere is surrounded by the other parts of itself. Reflecting it's own reflection.
The inversion of the circle. As a description of manifold and process.
Do we want to do a phase transition in our understanding or not?

[StephenPaulKing]

The question that Boltzmann as asked keeps coming up: How does macro scale Irreversibility obtain from Reversible microphysics? The answer is that a coarse grained measure acts as a distinguishing mechanism which induces emergence of irreversibility. Yet the question of the ensemble and evolution is valid: If the evolution is Darwinian, what is acting as the Selection mechanism? A universe is usually not considered to "interact" and thus be influenced by others....

[enterprisesoftwarearchitect]

I thought Patrick Fraser did an excellent clarification! He’s much easier to understand than Lee, though I’m watching the video to learn about Lee’s brave new models!

[sonarbangla]

Consider the fact that millions of BH are whizzing around in our galaxy at great speed. If any one of them came near our sun and swallows it in the last 4.5 billion years, conscious humans couldn't evolve on earth. That it didn't happen is not an accident, there is a probability, however small, but this probability is not measurable, like quantum probabilities. This indicates determinism on classical level (coherent QC functions) should explain causal past of present events.

[ivocanevo]

Not nearly enough likes. Put down your cat videos, folks!

Though I suppose a variety of views is what it's all about.

[Robocop-qele]

Lee Smolin looks like an Indian guru lol. Ramaramadingding

[archytas]

Wonderful - the last 10 mins. Living systems, briefly mentioned, which include physicists, needing to invent without precedent, use creativity, right? In other words creativity inbuilt especially visible with living systems, might be measurable?

How about economics - a unique human invention? We know it can be measured in the relative potential population density.

Second, quantum systems with no precedent, doing something new - how about a prime number of qubits? Or a Mersenne prime number? Have we a connection to Riemann's Hypothesis? Many have conjectured it is a statement about a physical system.

Anyway thanks for a major declaration - like a whistleblower; is that " dangerous"?

While Leibniz' Principle of Sufficient Reason (PSR) and the Identity of Indiscernible's, are referred to, It seems to me his most important Principle of Pre-Established Harmony, might actually be showing up in that very short mention of the ion-trap and Precedence of Real Ensembles. And just to mention that Leibniz used the term (at least in English translations) Representation, not quite a View, which 'confusedly' represent the past and the future, depending on the simple substance doing the Representation. Leibniz also showed the simple substance is never devoid of 'matter' (living force, vis viva) which today we would term energy, so the energetic causal set's would please Leibniz, I venture to say.

Implicitly, the solution to the measurement problem and cats, is nicely a corollary of the real ensemble, another Leibniz idea goes unmentioned. A Cat or Physicist, can be viewed as a huge ensemble of quite simple systems, each of which will search a real ensemble, yet the Cat or Physicist, is individual, and likely without precedent. Leibniz shows that the simple substance of the Cat or Physicist, is not an ensemble of simpler substances - it is after all simple not made of parts. The Pr-Established Harmony must act here.
Leibniz actually deals with what we call emergent space, in his solution to an ancient paradox of the wheel, where positions exist only when assigned.

[emeraldeyes]

Patrick Fraser does not know how how to ask a question. He tediously recounts what's already been said, adds irrelevancies, ums and arrs, kind ofs. When he finally asks his question (relief!) he pauses then starts off again! Guess he likes the sound of his own voice. For a scientist his vocal skills are atrocious. Lee Smolin must be a very patient man.