[MD] Quantum computing

[pholden at davtv.com]

Quoting Magnus Berg <McMagnus at home.se>:

> A metaphysics, on the other hand, is a completely different matter. A 
> metaphysics is supposed to describe what types of stuff reality is made of and 
> how that stuff interact with other stuff. And if the metaphysics is fuzzy, the 
> physics based on that metaphysics gets (at least) exponentially fuzzier. But the
> physics in our universe seems pretty unfuzzy to me, which means that a 
> metaphysics describing that physics must be pretty rigid.

Seems to me that physics at the quantum level is plenty fuzzy, beginning with the
uncertainly principle, extending through waves of probability, and ending up with
the mysterious role of consciousness in bringing particles into being. As Richard
Feynmann is reported to have said, "I think it's safe to say no one understands
quantum mechanics."

> > Like Pirsig, I would reserve the social level to human beings so as to avoid
> > the issues you raise which muddies the waters without adding much to the
> > evolutionary moral hierarchy.  
> 
> I know, I know. I'm feeling pretty alone about this one. But I won't budge until
> someone comes with a good counter argument. And since I haven't seen one since I
> wrote the essay 9 years ago, I have a feeling it will take a while.

What works for me is Pirsig's placing things tangible and objective in the
inorganic and biological levels and things intangible and subjective in the 
social and intellectual levels. Besides, I'm becoming more and more convinced
that evolution has more to do with expanding consciousness than more complex
societies of flesh and bones. 

Platt


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