When Is A Measurement Complete?

[Halfglass]

A subtle criticism can be made of the assertion that a transcendent consciousness collapses a "wave funtion" of a quantum object (this is the paradox where the outcome of a measurement of a quantum object has two outcomes depending on if it is being observed by a consciousness i.e. the scientist doing the measurement). The criticism is that the consciousness that causes the collapse of the wave funtion might be that of an external, omnipresent God, as in the following:

There once was a man who said, "God
Must think it exceedingly odd
If he finds that this tree
Continues to be
When there is no one about in the quad

Dear sir, your astonishment's odd
I am always about in the quad
And that's why the tree
Will continue to be
Since observed by, Yours faithfully, God

(An omnipresent God collapsing the wave function does not resolve the measurement paradox, however, because we can ask: At what point is the measurement complete if god is always looking?)

The measurement is not complete without the inclusion of the immanent awareness.

Whatsit mean? Read a physics book for the layperson (math isn't needed to understand the behavior of waves or to wrap one's mind around the paradoxes) and you might not even need the 2cb that I've been getting into lately to see that quantum physics is saying the same thing the psychedelic is showing. (Nice stuff that 2cb, mild or no comedown.)

[ October 07, 2004, 05:29 PM: Message edited by: Halfglass ]

[Hazz]

cool poem. yes quantum physisits are describing a universe where every thing is one, just like the peak experiences at times on psychedelics. not a coinsidence i think.

[Hazz]

btw, what books?