Standard quantum mechanics models small, unobserved quantum systems as probability distributions over possible observable values, meaning there’s no function that gives you a particle’s exact momentum at a given time. Instead, there’s a function that gives you a probability distribution over possible momentum values at a given time. Every modern interpretation of quantum mechanics predicts nearly the same probability distributions for every quantum system.
Many worlds QM argues that, just as small, unobserved quantum systems are fundamentally probabilistic, so too is the wider universe. Under many worlds, there exists a universal probability distribution over states of the universe. Different “worlds” in the many worlds interpretation equate to different configurations of the observable universe.
If many worlds is true, it implies there are alternate versions of ourselves who we can’t communicate with. However, the actions that best improve humanity’s prospects in a many worlds situations may be different from the best actions in a single world situation.
Standard quantum mechanics models small, unobserved quantum systems as probability distributions over possible observable values, meaning there’s no function that gives you a particle’s exact momentum at a given time. Instead, there’s a function that gives you a probability distribution over possible momentum values at a given time. Every modern interpretation of quantum mechanics predicts nearly the same probability distributions for every quantum system.
Many worlds QM argues that, just as small, unobserved quantum systems are fundamentally probabilistic, so too is the wider universe. Under many worlds, there exists a universal probability distribution over states of the universe. Different “worlds” in the many worlds interpretation equate to different configurations of the observable universe.
If many worlds is true, it implies there are alternate versions of ourselves who we can’t communicate with. However, the actions that best improve humanity’s prospects in a many worlds situations may be different from the best actions in a single world situation.