Claycord – Talk About Whatever – March 29, 2024

Book reports: Third From The Sun, Richard Matheson, various dates 1950 through 1953. Collection of 13 short stories, some only 3 pages. In spite of the implied title of the book there is only one that would count as Science Fiction. Most of these read more like mini horror stories. Not my cup of tea.

Nova, Samuel R. Delaney, 1968. A supposed interstellar adventure and it is that more or less. Almost 2 parallel stories. Main one is trying to go through the center an actual (small) nova in order to collect an excessively rare isotope that can only be measured in micro milligrams. Running through that is a odd seeming Hatfield/McCoy revenge story. There is a secondary story of a crewman who, for about 20 years, is trying to write a novel, taking tons of notes, trying to find a focus theme and subject. Better than Third From The Sun but tends to be confusing at times.

Sad to see Perk’s Coffee in Lafayette has closed. The owners and staff were all really nice people and they served a great Latte.

Essentially I asked ChatGPT4 if the past is absolutely determined by the present, at the quantum scale.
Question: At the quantum level, is the past “fixed”?
As apparently this wasn’t a yes or no question :
At the quantum level, the nature of time and its relationship with the past is a fascinating topic that has intrigued physicists for decades. Let’s delve into this intriguing debate:
Block Universe Hypothesis: According to our best theories of physics, the universe can be envisioned as a fixed block where time only appears to pass. This concept is often referred to as the “block universe.” In this view, the entire history of the cosmos exists simultaneously, and the distinction between past, present, and future is considered an illusion1.
Time-Symmetric Theories: The foundations of modern physics, including Einstein’s general theory of relativity and the Standard Model of particle physics, are time-symmetric. This means that the underlying physical laws remain unchanged regardless of whether time flows forward or backward. These theories do not explicitly define a special moment called “now” on a cosmic scale1.
Block Universe Advocates: Some physicists accept the block universe model, emphasizing that their task is to describe how the universe appears from the perspective of individual observers. They argue that to understand the distinction between past, present, and future, one must consider how an observer perceives time within this static space-time block1.
Challengers to the Block Universe: However, not everyone agrees. Some physicists and philosophers reject the idea of a fixed block universe. They contend that the passage of time is physical and not illusory. For them, the future is not predetermined, and the universe is not static. Avshalom Elitzur, a physicist and philosopher, boldly states, “The future does not exist. It does not! Ontologically, it’s not there” 1.
Recent Developments: Recent research has further complicated this debate. Physicists have been reevaluating quantum mechanics and its implications for time. For instance, the concept of unitarity (which ensures that probabilities sum to 1) clashes with the expanding universe. While unitarity demands symmetry between past and future at the quantum level, the universe’s expansion creates a stark difference between the two. Researchers are exploring ways to reconcile these conflicting aspects2.
In summary, the question of whether the past is fixed at the quantum level remains open. While some embrace the block universe, others seek a deeper understanding of why time appears to flow and whether it truly does so. The quest to unravel the mysteries of time continues to captivate scientists and philosophers alike.
Happy Easter!

OH MY GOD!!!!!….There’s been a 4.8 earthquake in New York….panic in the Big Apple!!!!