It's important to appreciate that neither the "consciousness causes collapse" theory nor the Copenhagen interpretation are the only available theories in this area. There are a couple of other competing theories, and some of these other theories do not say that any form of consciousness is required.
One example is the
Bohm interpretation. However, it paints its own odd picture of reality, one which arguably also provides some basis for the existence of the Law of Attraction.
How? Well the Bohm interpretation requires that the principle of non-locality and the concept of quantum entanglement be true. And what is the principle of non-locality; what is the concept of quantum entanglement?
Here we go:
Nonlocality - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Quantum entanglement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Einstein had colourfully described this as "spooky action at a distance".
To put it simply, if the Bohm interpretation is true, then these are the implications.
If two subatomic particles collide with each other, they experience quantum entanglement. At any time after that collision, changes in behaviour in one particle will instantaneously (or more precise, at the speed of light) affect the other particle's behaviour,
regardless of distance, and regardless of the time that has elapsed since the collision.
Let me explain that again. Suppose one subatomic particle collided with another subatomic particle 1,000,000 years ago. TODAY, wherever either of the two particles may now be in the universe, changes in the behaviour of one particle will instantly affect the behaviour of the other particle,
wherever that 2nd particle is in the universe now.
The implications are quite astounding. I'll just give one example:
1. Suppose I think about something.
2. Thinking causes electrical activity in my brain.
3. Electrical activity really means the movement of electrons.
4. Electrons are subatomic particles.
5. As I think, I cause electrical activity in my brain, and as the electrons move, every electron is instantly affecting every other subatomic particle that it has ever collided with,
since the beginning of time, and regardless of where those other subatomic particles now are,
in the universe.
6. As those subatomic particles get affected, their behaviour changes. As their behaviour changes, they also instantaneously affect every other particle which they have ever collided with,
since the beginning of time.
Now, let me scare all of you by bringing the
Big Bang theory.
This physics theory says that long, long ago, the universe was very, very dense. All the energy & matter that exists today already existed then, but it was all packed intensely densely together. It all then exploded and started expanding (and the universe continues expanding today):
Quote:
The Big Bang theory is an effort to explain what happened at the very beginning of our universe. Discoveries in astronomy and physics have shown beyond a reasonable doubt that our universe did in fact have a beginning. Prior to that moment there was nothing; during and after that moment there was something: our universe. The big bang theory is an effort to explain what happened during and after that moment.
According to the standard theory, our universe sprang into existence as "singularity" around 13.7 billion years ago. What is a "singularity" and where does it come from? Well, to be honest, we don't know for sure. Singularities are zones which defy our current understanding of physics. They are thought to exist at the core of "black holes." Black holes are areas of intense gravitational pressure. The pressure is thought to be so intense that finite matter is actually squished into infinite density (a mathematical concept which truly boggles the mind). These zones of infinite density are called "singularities." Our universe is thought to have begun as an infinitesimally small, infinitely hot, infinitely dense, something - a singularity.
|
What's the relevance of this, for the purposes of our current discussion?
Well, if all matter was once packed together at infinite intensity, it means that an infinite number of subatomic particles have collided with each other. You might say, for example, that all the subatomic particles have experienced quantum entanglement.
Since they have experienced quantum entanglement, changes in the behaviour of any subatomic particle immediately affects an infinitely large number of other subatomic particles. They are forever entangled,
regardless of space and time.
In other words, the entire universe is intimately connected with itself.
So let's run my scenario again.
1. Suppose I think about something.
2. Thinking causes electrical activity in my brain.
3. Electrical activity really means the movement of electrons.
4. Electrons are subatomic particles.
5. As I think, I cause electrical activity in my brain, and as the electrons move, every electron is instantly affecting every other subatomic particle in the universe.
By thinking, I therefore affect the entire universe.