Template talk:Quantum mechanics2

See discussion at Template_talk:Quantum mechanics#Compact template for reasoning behind creation of new template. --DJIndica (talk) 16:50, 29 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Consciousness causes collapse

ScienceApologist just removed consciousness causes collapse ("CCC") from "Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics", with the comment, "not a proper interpretation..." I'd disagree--maybe it's not a good or correct interpretation of quantum mechanics, but it's an interpretation of quantum mechanics (albeit one with many variants, but every interpretation on the list comes in many different versions). Perhaps you have some technical definition of "interpretation" in mind that rules out everything in the article CCC. In that case, perhaps you should rethink your definition: As the term is commonly used, including in other wikipedia articles (Interpretations of quantum mechanics, and CCC itself), CCC is an interpretation.

The topic is not very important in modern-day physics, to be sure, but practicing physicists aren't the only ones interested in quantum mechanics. I think it would be inappropriate not to include a link, in the QM template, to one of the most widely-discussed aspects of QM in popular culture. I'm putting it back for now, but of course we can continue this discussion here :-) --Steve (talk) 23:36, 10 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Let's approach this from a reader's perspective. Imagine coming to this template not knowing anything about quantum mechanics. The problem is that listing this as an interpretation will falsely influence the amateur researcher into believing in parity between this particular idea (which has no supporters outside of Fritjof Capra's cadres) and actual notable interpretations such as Many Worlds and Copenhagen. I think this might be better included in a new section about quantum pseudoscience. There, we could include things like quantum mysticism, quantum mind, Quantum Archeology and the like without confusing the reader in messy demarcation. ScienceApologist (talk) 16:06, 11 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I like your idea of a new section. "Quantum pseudoscience" might not be the best title, though, since it's so obviously and over-broadly pejoritive (for example, not everything in quantum mind is garbage, and quantum mysticism isn't pseudoscience when it only claims to be metaphorical). However, I can't think of a perfect title myself either. The best I can think of right at the moment is "Philosophy, Pseudoscience, and Religion Inspired by Quantum Physics".... --Steve (talk) 18:25, 11 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The one thing that all these things have in common is "consciousness": which is also the thing that physicists hate the most when people try to attach it to quantum mechanics. Hmm, let's see. The idea is that people use quantum mechanics to support their ideas of consciousness, spirituality, identity, mysticism, etc. This is because, as the authors of Quantum Engima put it, qm juts up against our very definition of what it means to take an observation (though it doesn't directly address this question). Certainly, we can all blame the Copenhagen Interpretation for "sweeping" this junk under the rug, but the fact is that there are a lot of people outside of science trying to lift up that rug and dig some of that stuff out again.

Okay, so how about a section called "Extra-scientific sepculations about quantum physics". Does that do the trick?

ScienceApologist (talk) 18:37, 11 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Merge with Template:Quantum mechanics

If no one disagrees, I will merge this template with Template:Quantum mechanics as its finally also supports collapsing.(Sheliak (talk) 13:36, 13 February 2008 (UTC))[reply]

Fine with me! If you're changing links from one to the other, here's the list to make sure you get all of them: [1] Have fun :-) --Steve (talk) 18:53, 13 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I support this too. ScienceApologist (talk) 18:56, 13 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]