Quantum Immortality, Many Worlds, and What It Means for You: Exploring the Weirdest Ideas in Physics
As the new school year approaches, why not bring a dose of cosmic curiosity with you? Kurzgesagt’s Back to School Collection offers inspiring science-themed essentials—perfect for students eager to explore the universe’s mysteries. And here’s an intriguing thought experiment to jumpstart your imagination: What if quantum mechanics means you could be, in a sense, immortal? Let’s dive into the fascinating story behind this idea.
The Strange World of Quantum Mechanics
In our everyday experience, things behave predictably. Kick a marble ten times with the same force and it lands in the same spot every time. But at the quantum level, particles like electrons behave very differently. Kick an electron ten times exactly the same way, and it might appear in different places each time.
Quantum mechanics explains this bizarre behavior by describing particles not as tiny marbles but as "waves of probability." This means an electron doesn’t have a definite position until measured; instead, it exists as a spread-out wave that represents the likelihood of finding it in various locations. For example, if you shoot an electron at your apartment 100 times, it might show up 80 times in the living room and 20 times in the kitchen.
This probabilistic nature isn’t just theoretical—it’s been tested extensively and underpins technologies from microchips to nuclear fusion in stars. Yet, it raises a profound question: What is this probability wave? What does it really say about reality?
Two Schools of Thought: Linguists vs. Literary Critics
Physicists have debated the meaning of quantum mechanics for over a century, resulting in two main camps:
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The Linguists (“Shut Up and Calculate”)
They argue that quantum mechanics isn’t a story about reality itself but a mathematical tool—a “grammar” for predicting experimental outcomes. Asking what an electron really is or looks like misses the point. The theory works brilliantly for calculations, and that’s all we need. -
The Literary Critics (Many-Worlds Interpretation)
These thinkers believe quantum mechanics does describe reality, but in an astonishing way: every time a quantum event with multiple possible outcomes occurs, the universe “branches” into multiple, equally real worlds where each outcome happens. So if an electron has an 80% chance to be in the living room and 20% in the kitchen, the universe splits into versions where the electron is in one place or the other—and correspondingly, multiple versions of you observe those different outcomes.
The Mind-Bending Many-Worlds Experiment
Imagine an experiment where a nuclear bomb is linked to two electron detectors—one in your living room and one in your kitchen. If the electron lands in the living room, the bomb detonates; if it lands in the kitchen, you survive.
- In a single universe scenario, you have an 80% chance of dying each time you run the experiment.
- According to many-worlds, each possible outcome happens in different branches. Four versions of you die, but one survives. From your perspective, you only ever experience survival.
If you repeat the experiment 100 times and somehow you are still alive, this extraordinary “luck” would reveal the truth of many-worlds and suggest a kind of quantum immortality—you always experience the branches where you survive.
What This Means for Life and Death
This cosmic secret implies that somewhere, in some branch of the multiverse, there is always a version of you that survives any catastrophe—even if it seems impossible. But this doesn’t mean you should take reckless risks: while you survive in some branches, countless other versions of you do not.
In other words, your survival depends on the branch you experience, but the many other versions of you face very real dangers. So, if a washing machine is falling, it’s still wise to move out of the way—for all your quantum selves.
Why It Matters to Understand These Ideas
The many-worlds interpretation is elegant and compelling, but it remains unproven. The “shut up and calculate” camp reminds us that without experimental proof, these ideas are speculative. The ultimate experiment—risking your life multiple times—has yet to be done (and hopefully never will be).
Regardless, quantum mechanics opens a window into the complexity of reality and challenges how we think about existence, luck, and survival.
Navigating Our World of Information
In a universe full of perspectives, it’s important to get a clear view of reality. That’s where tools like Ground News come in. This platform aggregates news from hundreds of sources worldwide, revealing biases and reliability so you can see multiple sides of every story. Just as quantum physics reveals multiple realities, Ground News helps you understand multiple viewpoints—empowering you to make informed decisions.
Try Ground News at ground.news/KIN and get 40% off an unlimited subscription. It’s a great way to stay curious and well-informed in a complex world.
Prepare for a Year of Discovery
Whether you’re a student, lifelong learner, or just curious about the cosmos, Kurzgesagt’s Back to School Collection is designed to inspire. From study posters like the Periodic Table and World Map to cosmic desk essentials, these tools will spark your curiosity and remind you of the vast universe beyond your next deadline.
Students get 10% off with code STUDENTBIRB10 until August 15. Step 1: study. Step 2: conquer the universe.
Final Thoughts
Quantum mechanics challenges our deepest intuitions about reality, fate, and even immortality. While the many-worlds interpretation might sound like science fiction, it’s rooted in real science and ongoing debate. Whether you side with the linguists or the literary critics, exploring these ideas expands our understanding of the universe and ourselves.
So as you head back to school, bring a bit of that cosmic wonder with you—and maybe a little quantum luck, too.
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