Re: Quantum Computers

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• [ Next ][ Previous ] In reply to: Anders Sandberg Next in thread: Dan Fabulich

>Actually, all the tiny quantum fluctuations together do have emergent
>and noticeable effects. Heisenberg only showed that measurement
>uncertainties will always be larger than a certain level, essentially
>placing a limit on how well we (or anything else) can distinguish
>quantum states. Even tiny quantum noise that cannot be detected itself
>can add together to create "macro" effects such as coupling constants
>and shielding of electron charges (if I remember my Feynmann lectures
>right).

Then doesn't this bring me back to my original question. The photon that passes through gate A in Universe 1 and gate B in Universe 2 goes on to be absorbed by particles X and Y respectively, and unless and until we devise a measurement that allows us to precisely trace its "actual" trajectory, we never know for sure which universe we're in. Right? And since this sort of subatomic interaction takes place googols of times a second, universes are being created googols of times a second. And because measurement of these phenomena takes place on only a laughably small fraction of the total, alternate universes collapse only rarely.

And if I'm still following a valid logical chain, what particular set of events causes us to perceive *this* particular universe over all the others, or is it just chance?

jmc

• [ Next ][ Previous ] In reply to: Anders Sandberg Next in thread: Dan Fabulich