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

Jacob Barandes on why the wave function may not be real, and the foundations of quantum mechanics.0:00 Intro1:26 Jacob's Background7:32 Pursuing Theoretical Physics10:28 Is Consciousness Linked to Quantum Mechanics?16:07 Why the Wave Function Might Not Be Real20:12 The Schrödinger Equation Explained23:04 Higher Dimensions in Quantum Physics30:11 Heisenberg’s Matrix Mechanics35:08 Schrödinger’s Wave Function and Its Implications39:57 Dirac and von Neumann's Quantum Axioms45:09 The Problem with Hilbert Spaces50:02 Wigner's Friend Paradox55:06 Challenges in Defining Measurement in Quantum Mechanics1:00 17 Trying to Simplify Quantum for Students1:03 35 Bridging Quantum Mechanics with Stochastic Processes1:05 05 Discovering Indivisible Stochastic Processes1:12 03 Interference and Coherence Explained1:16 06 Redefining Measurement and Decoherence1:18 01 The Future of Quantum Theory1:24 09 Foundationalism and Quantum Theory1:25 04 Why Use Indivisible Stochastic Laws?1:26 10 The Quantum-Classical Transition1:27 30 Classical vs Quantum Probabilities1:28 36 Hilbert Space and the Convenience of Amplitudes1:30 01 No Special Role for Observers1:33 40 Emergence of the Wave Function1:38 27 Physicists' Reluctance to Change Foundations1:43 04 Resolving Quantum Mechanics' Inconsistencies1:50 46 Practical Applications of Indivisible Stochastic Processes1:57 53 Understanding Particles in the Indivisible Stochastic Model2:00 48 Is There a Fundamental Ontology?2:07 02 Advice for Students Entering Physics2:09 32 Encouragement for Interdisciplinary Research2:12 22 OutroSPONSORS:- I personally subscribe to The Economist. SUMMER SALE to Aug 17, 2026: 50% off the annual subscription! No other podcast has this! https://economist.com/TOERESOURCES:- https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Wigner's 'Remarks on the Mind-Body Question': https://www.informationphilosopher.com/solutions/scientists/wigner/Wigner_Remarks.pdf- Jacob's lecture on Hilbert Spaces: https://youtu.be/OmaSAG4J6nw- John von Neumann's '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 [TOE]: https://youtu.be/9AoRxtYZrZo- Scott Aaronson and Leonard Susskind's 'Quantum Necromancy': https://arxiv.org/pdf/2009.07450- Scott Aaronson [TOE]: https://youtu.be/1ZpGCQoL2Rk- Leonard Susskind [TOE]: https://youtu.be/2p_Hlm6aCok- Ekkolapto: https://www.ekkolapto.org/- Support TOE on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Crypto: https://nowpayments.io/donation/TOE- 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: 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