Parallel Worlds Probably Exist. Here’s Why

The most elegant interpretation of quantum mechanics is the universe is constantly splitting

Special thanks to:
His book, a major source for this video is 'Something Deeply Hidden: Quantum Worlds and The Emergence of Spacetime'

I learned quantum mechanics the traditional 'Copenhagen Interpretation' way. We can use the Schrödinger equation to solve for and evolve wave functions. Then we invoke wave-particle duality, in essence things we detect as particles can behave as waves when they aren't interacting with anything. But when there is a measurement, the wave function collapses leaving us with a definite particle detection. If we repeat the experiment many times, we find the statistics of these results mirror the amplitude of the wave function squared. Hence the Born rule came into being, saying the wave function should be interpreted statistically, that our universe at the most fundamental scale is probabilistic rather than deterministic. This did not sit well with scientists like Einstein and Schrödinger who believed there must be more going on, perhaps 'hidden variables'.

In the 1950's Hugh Everett proposed the Many Worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics. It is so logical in hindsight but with a bias towards the classical world, experiments and measurements to guide their thinking, it's understandable why the founders of quantum theory didn't come up with it. Rather than proposing different dynamics for measurement, Everett suggests that measurement is something that happens naturally in the course of quantum particles interacting with each other. The conclusion is inescapable. There is nothing special about measurement, it is just the observer becoming entangled with a wave function in a superposition. Since one observer can experience only their own branch, it appears as if the other possibilities have disappeared but in reality there is no reason why they could not still exist and just fail to interact with the other branches. This is caused by environmental decoherence.

Schrodinger's cat animation by Ivy Tello
Wave functions, double slit and entanglement animation by Jonny Hyman
Filming of opening sequence by Casey Rentz

Special thanks to Mithuna Y, Raquel Nuno and Dianna Cowern for feedback on the script

[dtstar]

Meanwhile, in a parallel universe:
"Parallel universes probably don't exist and here's why"

[kai-_-]

My curious brain at 3am like “Hell yeah this looks interesting” not understanding any of it

[collegeman]

In one alternate universe, Schrödinger is in the box and the cat is the one who developed the experiment and is recording the results.

[BuckScrotumn]

Schrödinger’s equation at 0:24 literally looks like made-up alien satire of an overly complicated equation.

[FayazPA]

There's a version of me out there that understood the whole video.

[aestheticallymercury]

Meanwhile in parallel universes: Parallel universe doesn’t exist and here’s why

[kingnorkaiser]

So cool how the guest speaker was like “no I’m not answering your question I’m answering the question you should have asked”

[Flight_of_Icarus]

"Despite this being intended as a thought experiment, Schrodinger helpfully notes that the device must be secured from interference by the cat."

This man knew cats.

[rohittiwari]

Schrodinger: we don't know whether cat is alive or dead inside the box, until we open it.
Cat inside the closed box:
Schrodinger: Shut up

[goodstuff]

Meanwhile, in a parallel universe:

“Wow, 2020 has been a great year!”

[jensenbeachjay]

Absolutely mind blowing. Had to rewind the segment w the electron screen to fully grasp.... But, wheeew - this is amazing! Truly wild, and quite fun, to

[AshleySmith-looq]

I've never entirely understood the theory under this, but I for a long time I have thought about it as: there is a universe/world/dimension for every possible position of every particle in the universe. That is not infinite, but it is extremely close to it. Of course the probability of some arrangements are higher than others, so there will be far more universes where e.g. a pile of sand remains a pile of sand compared, versus much fewer universes where a pile of sand spontaneously forms the alphabet, or becomes the Eiffel Tower.

[fearlessavocado]

It feels like the more you know, the more you realize how less you know

[MrMuffdaddyu]

This explains why two socks go in the dryer and one comes out. They are both in there, but once I open the dryer door, the universe splits and I lose one sock.

[ppiqwfh]

You're the first to actually answer my, "What about an impossibly long rod?" question that stumped my lecturer when I asked about it.

[tomwithuhn]

Your many worlds explanation is a lot more bananas than the crazy idea that there are different rules for observed or not. The different rules idea is a simpler Ockhams razor than universes splitting and energy interacting across worlds.

You could also say the wave function super collapses the moment it interacts with anything.

[elcharrua]

This means there are versions of us that aren’t failures

[sirpasta]

"Does that mean that there's a universe where I'm smarter than you?"
"Yes, and there's also a universe where you're funny" -Stephen Hawking

[BioAlpha]

7:28 im legit using this to help solve the Zelda Timeline AND Kingdom Hearts lore and the fact it fits PERFECTLY is insane. Metaphysics, quantum mechanics mixed with religoin from MANY cultures. Man i love video games lol

[Innocentudeh]

Very good explanation. David Deutsch's the Fabric of Reality is another beautiful way to approach understanding quatam mechanics starting from a simple object like a torchlight