“Quantum mechanics” is widely abused as a buzzword by marketers and charlatans, almost to the point of meaninglessness. There is, however, one attempt to apply quantum mechanics to everyday life that has survived the ridicule — the theory that consciousness itself might be a quantum phenomenon. The core of quantum mechanics is that there is not much certain at the subatomic level. In this case, by inventing a scenario about a quantum measurement connected to a vial of poison, Schrodinger showed that quantum mechanics seemed to say the cat could literally be both alive and dead at the same time. Whether quantum mechanics can explain away this problem of consciousness remains in the realm of airy speculation.

Source: National Post June 04, 2017 20:17 UTC