Solving nonlocality with fractals, chaos & counterfactuals | Prof. Tim Palmer

About this episode

Prof. Tim Palmer discusses a new perspective on quantum nonlocality, proposing a hidden assumption in standard quantum mechanics and its implications for quantum theory.

The notion of true quantum nonlocality is absurd. Prof Tim Palmer from the University of Oxford suggests that there is a hidden assumption in standard quantum mechanics, and dropping it will save us from this absurdity. Namely, the reality of counterfactuals: the physics of what could have happened but did not. Inspired by chaos theory and the fractal structure widespread in atmospheric physics, Palmer has developed a new underlying structure for quantum theory, with radical implications for our fundamental principles of quantum physics; the limits of quantum computation; and perhaps even the search for quantum gravity.

People in this episode

Host: Maria Violaris

Guest: Prof. Tim Palmer

Topics covered

• quantum nonlocality
• chaos theory
• fractal structure
• quantum theory
• counterfactuals
• quantum computation
• quantum gravity

Keywords

• quantum nonlocality
• chaos theory
• fractal structure
• counterfactuals
• quantum computation
• quantum gravity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Oxford

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