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arXiv:1306.4646quant-ph

Yet Another Snapshot of Foundational Attitudes Toward Quantum Mechanics

Travis Norsen, Sarah Nelson

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Abstract

A survey probing respondents' views on various foundational issues in quantum mechanics was recently created by Schlosshauer, Kofler, and Zeilinger [arXiv:1301.1069] and then given to 33 participants at a quantum foundations conference. Here we report the results of giving this same survey to the attendees at another recent quantum foundations conference. While it is rather difficult to conclude anything of scientific significance from the poll, the results do strongly suggest several interesting cultural facts -- for example, that there exist, within the broad field of "quantum foundations", sub-communities with quite different views, and that (relatedly) there is probably even significantly more controversy about several fundamental issues than the already-significant amount revealed in the earlier poll.

arXiv comments
11 pages, 16 bar graphs
Journal reference
DOI
Subjects
quant-phQuantum Physics physics.hist-phHistory and Philosophy of Physics

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Linked by 1 identifiable commenter in 2 comments across 2 threads, from Aug 2015 to Sep 2017.

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Discussed in comments2 threads

  1. Best attempts so far to skin Schrödinger’s cat (2016) 1 comment

    • Warning: you shouldn't be too quick to extrapolate anything about general attitudes in quantum foundations towards various interpretations from this "snapshot" poll. There exist at least two other polls I know of with very different results[0,1]. Interesting quote from one of…

      n4r9View on HNParent context

  2. Quantum weirdness is everywhere in life 1 comment

    • I meant "rigorous and comprehensive" to include "representative of the entire quantum community". That poll was conducted at a single conference and had 33 participants. The bias inherent in this approach can be seen when the same poll was conducted at two other conferences…

      n4r9View on HNParent context

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