Chapter 22 - Quantum Temporal Indeterminacy

Portent

The strongest argument aginst FTL, against any kind of superluminal signaling, against spacelike causality in general, is the threat of temporal paradox, a closed causal loop in spacetime that denies its own causality. Yet here we have a metaphor for spacelike causality which deftly avoids temporal paradox by collapsing the elements of such a closed causal loop into the coin basis in which the loop is indeterminate - no paradox even when we tried to create one. An objective quantum measurement mechanism that requires spacelike causality.

Have we supsended disbelief long enough to finally see the orchard, rather then a jungle?

Can this metaphor be applied to physical reality?

Primary Docs

Paradigm Discourse:
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Technical Chapter:
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Significance

QTP/I is the speculative hypothesis that self-reference is the key to the quantum measurement mechanism. It requires some version of spacelike causality, then claims that closed causal loops in spacetime (which spacelike causality makes inevitable), are resolved by collapse into the one-and-only basis in which the causality is indeterminate.

In other words, the cosmic censor mechanism (that allows spacelike casuality but prevents temporal paradox), is what collapses the wave function. Temporal paradox/indeterminacy is the quantum measurement mechanism.

Self-reference does indeed have a role in physics, an absolutely critical role - you cannot solve the quantum measurement problem without it.