Humans and the Quantum Experience – Scientific American

Credit: Scientific American Space & Physics, April/May 2022Advertisement

In physics, some hypotheses can take more than a lifetime to confirmas happened in 2019, when researchers saw the first image of a black hole, a cosmological phenomenon whose existence was theorized by Albert Einstein a full century before but never observed directly. Other ideas in physics have endured decades of debate, without resolution or further clarity. In this issue, reporter Davide Castelvecchi profiles the fascinating history of a landmark experiment from 1922 that recorded the quantum spin of an elementary particle, the interpretation of which is still ongoing (see Hundred Years Ago a Quantum Experiment Explained Why We Dont Fall through Our Chairs).

Elsewhere in this issue, columnist John Horgan contemplates what a radical new quantum theory means for our perception of reality (see Does Quantum Mechanics Reveal That Life Is but a Dream?). He writes that quantum researchers share a notable trait with artists who try to turn the chaos of things into a meaningful narrative. I would take his idea further and say that finding sense among lifes challenges is an inherent part of all human experience.

This article was originally published with the title "Humans and the Quantum Experience" in SA Space & Physics 5, 2, (April 2022)

Andrea Gawrylewski is the collections editor at Scientific American.Follow Andrea Gawrylewski on TwitterCredit: Nick Higgins

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Humans and the Quantum Experience - Scientific American