HOWTO explain quantum theory to a dog
In this tight little Socratic dialog, Chad Orzel explains many-worlds quantum theory to his dog:Link (via Making Light)"And if you were to eat steak at the computer, you'd probably drop some on the floor."
"I don't know about that..."
"Dude, I've seen you eat." Yes, the dog calls me "dude." There may be obedience classes in her future.
"All right, we'll allow the possibility."
"Therefore, it's possible that you dropped steak on the floor. And according to Everett's Many Worlds Interpretation of quantum mechanics, that means that you did drop steak on the floor. Which means I just need to find it."
"Well, technically, what the Many Worlds interpreation says is that there's some branch of the unitarily evolving wavefunction of the universe in which I dropped steak on the floor."
Update: Kevin sez, "Bizzare fact. The Everett of "Many Worlds" is the father of Mr E off of the Eels (popular beat combo)." That's so cool. I love the Eels. Every single track off Daisies of the Galaxy is in my top-ranked playlist.
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Cory Doctorow
Upcoming appearances
* Feb 9, 2012, DeKalb, IL: Day of Doctorow, NIU
* Feb 10-12, 2012, Chicago, IL: Capricon 32
* Feb 13, 2012, Arlington, TX: UT Arlington College of Engineering Distinguished Speaker Series
* Feb 16, 2012, Victoria, BC: 13th Annual Privacy and Security Conference
Recent books:
* Context (essays)
* With a Little Help (short stories)
* For the Win (YA novel)
* Makers (adult novel)
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