Editing 1240: Quantum Mechanics
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | This comic plays with the fact that {{w|quantum mechanics}} is a very complex subject that is frequently misapplied by laymen. Many of the phenomena studied in quantum mechanics are | + | This comic plays with the fact that {{w|quantum mechanics}} is a very complex subject{{Citation needed}} that is frequently misapplied by laymen. Many of the phenomena studied in quantum mechanics are counter to common sense and can only be expressed in complex mathematics. Yet, since the field is fundamental to our understanding of reality, it is commonly cited to support broad sweeping philosophical generalizations. |
− | The phrase | + | The phrase "according to quantum mechanics" betrays that the speaker does not know very much about the subject. To a physicist, it is almost as vague as "according to physics". Somebody who understands the subject would use a more precise term such as "according to the uncertainty principle" or "according to a paper by such-and-such." |
− | [[Cueball]] | + | [[Cueball]] uses quantum mechanics to argue that dogs must have souls, even when quantum mechanics is not applicable to macroscopic bodies. But it's a reference to the concept of an '{{w|Observer (quantum physics)|observer}}' in quantum physics, as well as theories about the {{w|Von Neumann–Wigner interpretation|collapse of wave functions}}. However the vast majority of people do not have a sufficient understanding of quantum mechanics to judge if his statement is correct. Nevertheless, Randall's message is, you don't need to understand quantum mechanics to judge the statement. No matter what the sentence is, it is almost certainly incorrect, so "you can safely ignore" it. |
− | + | The title text refers to statements that reference "quantum mechanics" without prefixing "according to". Again, if "quantum mechanics" is the most complicated term in the sentence, then the speaker does not know what he or she is talking about. When a scientist is correctly applying quantum mechanics, he or she will use more specific (and hence more complicated) language. | |
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==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :[Cueball and Ponytail stand facing each other, talking. Cueball has a | + | :[Cueball and Ponytail stand facing each other, talking. Cueball has a dog on a leash.] |
− | :Cueball: But dogs can observe the world, which means that according to quantum mechanics they | + | :Cueball: But dogs can observe the world, which means that according to quantum mechanics they must have souls. |
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:'''Protip''': You can safely ignore any sentence that includes the phrase "According to quantum mechanics". | :'''Protip''': You can safely ignore any sentence that includes the phrase "According to quantum mechanics". | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
− | + | Niels Bohr's quote: | |
− | + | ''If quantum mechanics hasn't profoundly shocked you, you haven't understood it yet.'' | |
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
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[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Protip]] | ||
[[Category:Physics]] | [[Category:Physics]] | ||
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