What Is Real?
[Timeframe: May 2019] I am definitely not an authority on quantum mechanics (see my brief bio), but I have for some time been interested in interpretations of the wave function. In an accompanying Ramblings Appendix chapter, I am exploring how this interest might be effectively coupled with my quantitative understanding of digital holography. Very shortly after I began recording in this MediaWiki environment my speculative thoughts on this topic, I stumbled upon a book review published in Science (see Vol. 359, Issue 6383, dated 30 March 2018) by Mélanie Frappier. The book review, itself, carried the title, Questioning quantum mechanics, and it focused on the book by Adam Becker titled, "What is Real? The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics" (2018, Basic Books). To my delight, I found this book at the main branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it for two principal reasons:
- In his historical recounting of the development of quantum theory, from its infancy all the way up to the present time, Becker describes numerous scientific discoveries and associated philosophical discussions at a level that was perfectly pitched for me, given my own background.
- He highlights contributions that have been made by individuals whom I have known personally, in the context of professional settings with which I am familiar.
First Encounter
See Also
