Science AMA Series: I’m Adam Becker, astrophysicist and author of WHAT
IS REAL?, the story of the unfinished quest for the meaning of quantum
physics. AMA!
Abstract
Hi, I’m Adam Becker, PhD, an astrophysicist and science writer. My new
book, What Is Real? The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum
Physics, is about the scientists who bucked the establishment and looked
for a better way to understand what quantum mechanics is telling us
about the nature of reality. It’s a history of quantum foundations from
the initial development of quantum mechanics to the present, focusing on
some people who don’t often get the spotlight in most books on quantum
history: David Bohm, Hugh Everett III, John Bell, and the people who
came after them (e.g. Clauser, Shimony, Zeh, Aspect). I’m happy to talk
about all of their work: the physics, the history, the philosophy, and
more. FWIW, I don’t subscribe to any particular interpretation, but I’m
not a fan of the “Copenhagen interpretation” (which isn’t even a
single coherent position anyhow). Please don’t shy away if you disagree.
Feel free to throw whatever you’ve got at me, and let’s have a fun,
engaging, and respectful conversation on one of the most contentious
subjects in physics. Or just ask whatever else you want to ask—after
all, this is AMA. Edit, 2PM Eastern: Gotta step away for a bit. I’ll be
back in an hour or so to answer more questions. Edit, 6:25PM Eastern:
Looks like I’ve answered all of your questions so far, but I’d be happy
to answer more. I’ll check back in another couple of hours. Edit,
11:15PM Eastern: OK, I’m out for the night, but I’ll check in again
tomorrow morning for any final questions.