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Posts by Sam Powers

Let me try to explain why it's important to study the foundations of quantum mechanics. (1/n)

(Have to do some breathing exercises, b/c to me it's blindingly obvious that "understanding the most important theory in physics" is something physicists should care about, but apparently opinions differ.)

8 months ago 338 91 17 11

Zelensky is a hero by any sensible measure. A leader inspiring his nation in the midst of an invasion by a powerful, repressive dictatorship. The fact that any American can think of him as the bad guy just demonstrates the triumph of tribalism over principle.

1 year ago 1403 208 18 2

Daily updates to the asteroid impact probability should be fun for the next few years.

1 year ago 0 0 0 0

I added it in the comments. Interested to hear your thoughts!

1 year ago 0 0 0 0
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A statistical model for quantum spin and photon number states The most irreducible way to represent information is a sequence of two symbols. In this paper, we construct quantum states using this basic building block. Specifically, we show that the probabilities...

arxiv.org/abs/2304.135...

1 year ago 0 0 0 0
Statistical model for quantum spin and photon number states The most irreducible way to represent information is a sequence of two symbols. In this paper, we construct quantum states using this basic building block. Specifically, we show that the probabilities...

Now published in PRA.

Read if you are interested in quantum foundations, or just enjoy a good mystery.

We use 0s and 1s to model arbitrary spin systems interacting with two rotated Stern-Gerlach detectors. We then extend the model to photon number states interacting with a beam splitter.

1 year ago 2 0 2 0

Today I was asked in an interview about folks who use the weirdness of ✨quantum✨ to hawk pseudoscience junk. I think that kind of grift proliferates because of a big misunderstanding a lot of folks have about quantum mechanics, which is not really their fault!
🧵

1 year ago 1761 349 48 38
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A statistical model for quantum spin and photon number states The most irreducible way to represent information is a sequence of two symbols. In this paper, we construct quantum states using this basic building block. Specifically, we show that the probabilities...

Coming soon to PRA! Three years after writing began and about 1.5 years of peer review.

I really hope you like it.

1 year ago 0 0 0 0

I appreciate the apparent symmetry between the two scenarios, but I really don’t think they are equivalent. In the case google, one lost the ability to test recall. In the case of AI, one lost the ability to test understanding.

I think that distinction is important in education.

1 year ago 2 0 0 1

Confession. I do not believe in parallel universes nor the multiverse.

1 year ago 32 4 5 0

Both paths have produced an equivalent number of successful HEPCOS theories.

1 year ago 0 0 1 0

Glad to see smart people discussing foundations!

I think most would agree there always needs to be something ontic deep down, it just might not be the quantum state. The quantum state may indeed be a manifestation of hidden information, but information about what?

1 year ago 4 0 0 0

What is a quantum state?

1 year ago 0 0 0 0

I stole my profile picture from @quantamagazine.bsky.social

1 year ago 0 0 0 0

Alright NFL Bluesky: I put together a starter pack of some of my favorite follows on Sunday…

Will continue adding to this but please share if you’re so inclined:

go.bsky.app/8RH6KbH

1 year ago 2128 396 213 54
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Mina Kimes denies claims Bluesky is a liberal echo chamber amid 'Xodus' ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes explained her decision to leave X for Bluesky and why it's more than just a political choice.

Mina Kimes on the migration from X to Bluesky: "We are conflating egregious racism and misogyny with diversity of thought, or with reasonable opinion and disagreements.”

http://dlvr.it/TGM3pm

1 year ago 1170 160 35 22

seems hard

1 year ago 0 0 0 0

celebrity apprentice goes to the white house

1 year ago 0 0 0 0

To be clear, the statement in the OP does not reflect your view? It seems to conflict with this statement, no?

1 year ago 0 0 1 0

Primaries are important.

1 year ago 1 0 0 0

Have any thoughts on the statistical interpretation of quantum theory?

1 year ago 1 0 0 1