Alexander Wendt: The Interview

[@KingCrocoduck]

Who would win? Wendt's "understanding" of quantum physics (as well as the philosophy of science), or deBroglie's wavelength?

[@samquigley1637]

A quantum process survived the wet and noisy environment of Alexander Wendt's brain, turning him into Deepak Chopra, which no classical physicist could have predicted.

[@donakavite8286]

What he's saying is actually grounded in facts and evidence. However, the same cannot be said of the physicalist theory of consciousness.

[@yellowburger]

If there is some level on which quantum fields interact with the brain to create some aspects of consciousness, and that's a HUGE if, it's a gigantic leap to then argue that there is some sort of quantum "collective conscience" behind social relations. Individuals, regardless of whether or not their consciousness has some relation to quantum fields still interact with one another through mundane old communication and physical actions. No need to mystify the social world, and even worse international relations, with the idea that it is all somehow a quantum field interaction. Even Deepak Chopra doesn't go that deep into the land of woo. However, Wendt still deserves (imho) huge respect for his earlier insights into the socially constructed aspects of international anarchy.

[@zeromold]

This comment is addressed to whomever created this video. Your camera work leaves much to be desired, however your editing is a sophomoric attempt at creativity the adds nothing to the subject presented. In fact it detracts from the insight presented. Please replace the current version with the unedited footage or, better yet, eliminate the video and leave only the audio.

[@54johndavis]

and the music is awful.

[@alexanderjavier2663]

You can ride the wave of evolutionary politics but at the fundamental level, politics boils down realist-materialism. Every other political thought in IR is a product of these two theories since interests defines the world and it's governance.

[@iBen4G]

Physics is grounded in math and formalism. If I were to talk Law and have no clue about the articles in the constitution, what sense would that make? You just simply cannot say "Humans are walking wavefunctions" without a clear and rigorous proof. Its like a judge saying "I say you're guilty" before the trial even began!!

[@farzinshokooh2085]

Read his book.

[@FernandoFlores-oh9cy]

@@farzinshokooh2085 Have you read David J. Griffiths' Introduction to Quantum Mechanics? Yeah, there's no walking human wavefunctions there.

[@jonlee2722]

we should view it again and again.

[@SomeBeautyfulArt]

Great interview but disgusting jumping video

[@false_binary]

Great interview and lousy production.

[@midnattsol6207]

So, what really is new about this? Physics itself already said all this, didn't it? If quantum mechanics are a valid description of the world, which they seem to, then yes, everything can be described with a wave function. 'Everything' includes humans, includes consciousness, needs, and perceptions and all these brain functionalities. The theories of International Relations, from Realism, Liberalism to (yes) Constructivism are in their assumptions so ridiculously inprecise and leave out more possible dependencies than they include, that it is an absolute overkill to try to modify them with something as precise and complete as quantum mechanics. IR theories leave out information and attempt to find some few variables to base predictions on which are more or less pointing in the right direction. In a quantum mechanical approach, no information is left out. So, what's new about all this? Also: Non-determinism doesn't mean non-materialistic causes and effects are possible. Determinism is broken by absolute randomness. There is no directional item. Edit: 1 more thing: Yes, neurons and their connections are affected by quantum mechanics. This however does not mean, that on the scale of them, quantum mechanical effects are responsible for or needed to create thinking. As it stands, there is no hint that looking at the brain in its classical approximation with collapsed wave function would not be sufficient to simulate/generate/explain human intelligence and perception. The point made in this video is kinda redicoulus as it tries to use physics - the last dicipline to embrace some sort of magic or non-materialist action - as an argument to reintroduce magic "something going on which is not supposed to go on" into the world again.

[@theea3466]

Agree with your statement. The last point you make is the key. If you live in the discipline of physics nothing will go on that's not suppose to go on. The quantum coherence allows for a normal unity. However there is no doubt we are in quantum examples of dis-coherence are around and has been for sometime. E.g Mandela Affect, people with psychic abilities etc. I believe we all live in spooky quantum theory and this opens up the notion of parallel universes. The electron classically takes one material path so there is no material universe at the same time. But this just suggests that each person is the centre of their own universe and technically could reverse time and decisions crossing universes without even knowing it unless they develop the memory of any of the previous wave paths. Which I believe is starting to happen. The evidence will be with those people for example who walk outside their house one day and discover a tree in their front yard that they know was never there before. Everyone else in the street or in the family will say the tree has been there for years. But you know with no doubt there was never a tree there... for the last few years you might have even been saying to yourself.. I should put a tree there. We will label them crazy for now until neuron memory retrieval advances. At the end of the day we are all one with one imprint.... Key will be knowing what material path is chosen/taken -Chaos and diversity is where it's at. Let me know your thoughts?