First, the result of a coin flip is almost certainly determined by starting conditions. With enough knowledge of those conditions you could predict the result. Instead you should make a measurement on a quantum system, such as measuring the spin of an electron.
Second the result of this test does not distinguish between QI and not-QI. The probability of being knocked out or left awake is the same in both cases.
I suppose you could be assuming that your consciousness can jump arbitrarily between universes to follow a conscious version of you.… but no that would just be silly.
You might have missed the part where Thomas made it a “quantum coin flip”. The problem with the test is that by definition is can’t be replicated successfully by the scientific community and that even if QI is true you will get dis-confirming evidence in most Everett branches.
First, the result of a coin flip is almost certainly determined by starting conditions. With enough knowledge of those conditions you could predict the result.
If that’s a valid objection, then quantum suicide won’t work either. In fact, if that’s a valid objection, then many-worlds is impossible, since everything is deterministic with no possible alternatives.
Many-worlds is a deterministic theory, as it says that the split configurations both occur.
Quantum immortality, mind you, is a very silly idea for a variety of other reasons—foremost of which is that a googleplex of universes still doesn’t ensure that there exists one of them in which a recognizable “you” survives next week, let alone to the end of time.
There are two problems with this test.
First, the result of a coin flip is almost certainly determined by starting conditions. With enough knowledge of those conditions you could predict the result. Instead you should make a measurement on a quantum system, such as measuring the spin of an electron.
Second the result of this test does not distinguish between QI and not-QI. The probability of being knocked out or left awake is the same in both cases.
I suppose you could be assuming that your consciousness can jump arbitrarily between universes to follow a conscious version of you.… but no that would just be silly.
This is probably what Thomas meant by “quantum” coin flip.
You are right, I missed that. I probably shouldn’t post comments when I’m hungry, I’ve got a few other comments like this to account for as well. :)
I don’t postulate anything, what it is not already postulated in the so called Quantum Suicide mental experiment.
I just apply this on to the sleeping/coma case. Should work the same.
But I don’t think it works in either case.
The test you proposed does not distinguish between QI and not-QI. I don’t think that the current formulation of MWI even allows this to be tested.
Not a factor to my argument, both are untestable. You are arguing this point against other others, not me.
You might have missed the part where Thomas made it a “quantum coin flip”. The problem with the test is that by definition is can’t be replicated successfully by the scientific community and that even if QI is true you will get dis-confirming evidence in most Everett branches.
If that’s a valid objection, then quantum suicide won’t work either. In fact, if that’s a valid objection, then many-worlds is impossible, since everything is deterministic with no possible alternatives.
Many-worlds is a deterministic theory, as it says that the split configurations both occur.
Quantum immortality, mind you, is a very silly idea for a variety of other reasons—foremost of which is that a googleplex of universes still doesn’t ensure that there exists one of them in which a recognizable “you” survives next week, let alone to the end of time.