Jacob Barandes: The Wave Function Does Not Exist (And Never Did)

Jacob Barandes examines why the wave function may not be a real entity, exploring measurement, stochastic processes, and the foundations of quantum mechanics. He connects quantum theory to interdisciplinary perspectives and discusses the implications for consciousness and higher dimensions.- 00:00 - Introduction- 01:26 - Jacob's Background- 07:32 - Pursuing Theoretical Physics- 10:28 - Is Consciousness Linked to Quantum Mechanics?- 16:07 - Why the Wave Function Might Not Be Real- 20:12 - The Schrödinger Equation Explained- 23:04 - Higher Dimensions in Quantum Physics- 30:11 - Heisenberg’s Matrix Mechanics- 35:08 - Schrödinger’s Wave Function and Its Implications- 39:57 - Dirac and von Neumann's Quantum Axioms- 45:09 - The Problem with Hilbert Spaces- 50:02 - Wigner's Friend Paradox- 55:06 - Challenges in Defining Measurement in Quantum Mechanics- 01:00:17 - Trying to Simplify Quantum for Students- 01:03:35 - Bridging Quantum Mechanics with Stochastic Processes- 01:05:05 - Discovering Indivisible Stochastic Processes- 01:12:03 - Interference and Coherence Explained- 01:16:06 - Redefining Measurement and Decoherence- 01:18:01 - The Future of Quantum Theory- 1:24:09 - Foundationalism and Quantum Theory- 1:25:04 - Why Use Indivisible Stochastic Laws?- 1:26:10 - The Quantum-Classical Transition- 1:27:30 - Classical vs Quantum Probabilities- 1:28:36 - Hilbert Space and the Convenience of Amplitudes- 1:30:01 - No Special Role for Observers- 1:33:40 - Emergence of the Wave Function- 1:38:27 - Physicists' Reluctance to Change Foundations- 1:43:04 - Resolving Quantum Mechanics' Inconsistencies- 1:50:46 - Practical Applications of Indivisible Stochastic Processes- 1:57:53 - Understanding Particles in the Indivisible Stochastic Model- 2:00:48 - Is There a Fundamental Ontology?- 2:07:02 - Advice for Students Entering Physics- 2:09:32 - Encouragement for Interdisciplinary Research- 2:12:22 - OutroSPONSORS:- The Economist: 20% off discount for TOE listeners. https://www.economist.com/toeRESOURCES:- https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Wigner's paper 'Remarks on the Mind-Body Question': https://www.informationphilosopher.com/solutions/scientists/wigner/Wigner_Remarks.pdf- Jacob's lecture on Hilbert Spaces: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmaSAG4J6nw&ab_channel=OxfordPhilosophyofPhysics- John von Neumann's book on 'Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics': https://amzn.to/48OkeVj- The 1905 Papers (Albert Einstein): https://guides.loc.gov/einstein-annus-mirabilis/1905-papers- Dividing Quantum Channels (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/math-ph/0611057- Sean Carroll on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AoRxtYZrZo- Scott Aaronson and Leonard Susskind's paper on 'Quantum Necromancy': https://arxiv.org/pdf/2009.07450- Scott Aaronson on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZpGCQoL2Rk- Leonard Susskind on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p_Hlm6aCok- Ekkolapto's website: https://www.ekkolapto.org/- Support TOE on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal (early access to ad-free audio episodes!)- Listen to TOE on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Become a YouTube Member Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join- Join TOE's Newsletter 'TOEmail' at https://www.curtjaimungal.org- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802- Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices