Video Infoblog: The Universe May Be Inside A Quantum Object - What Just Happened
18 Aug 2024 Seeing the universe as one quantum object changes how we think about reality. It suggests that the separations we see are just an illusion—a useful one for everyday life, but an illusion nonetheless. At the deepest level, there’s no true division, no separate objects or events. Everything is part of one continuous, interconnected whole.
Transcript
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[Music]
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if you wanted to uncover the secrets of
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the universe for yourself you'd simply
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need to ask the right questions until
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the universe responds in a way you
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understand imagine you could peer
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through everyday objects to see what
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they are truly made of if you looked
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closely at the arm of a chair you would
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find it's made of atoms zoom in further
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and you discover these atoms contain
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subatomic particles protons neutrons and
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electrons go even deeper and you'll see
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that protons and neutrons are made of
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quirks these layers represent how
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physicists understand the universe by
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breaking everything down into smaller
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pieces a method called reductionism a
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scientific approach that breaks down
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complex systems or phenomena into their
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simpler more fundamental parts to better
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understand how they work the idea is
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that by studying these basic components
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and their interactions one can explain
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the behavior and properties of the
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entire system instead of focusing on the
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tiny details why don't we take a broader
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view by doing this we might realize that
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everything including space and time
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emerges from a unified ho while this may
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sound like philosophy or mysticism it is
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actually based on applying quantum
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mechanics to the entire universe this
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reveals that the Universe isn't made up
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of separate parts but is a single
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Quantum entity this may sound a bit
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implausible but but hear me
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[Music]
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out most of us here already know what
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quantum mechanics is all about but for
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those who don't let me give a simple
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analogy for you to get it imagine you're
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in a room with a light switch in the
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everyday world that switch is either on
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or off just like a light bulb is either
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lit or not but in the quantum world it's
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as if the switch can be both on and off
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at the same time until you actually look
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at it it's like the light is in a weird
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state of kind of on and kind of off
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until you flip the switch or check it
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out this strange behavior is what
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quantum mechanics is all about things
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can exist in multiple States at once and
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they only choose a state when we observe
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them it's like the Universe plays a game
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of probabilities until we make it reveal
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its hand now you might be thinking how
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does this relate to the real world well
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quantum mechanics isn't just some
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abstract idea it's the foundation of how
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everything around us works from the
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smallest particles to the entire
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universe in the everyday world we don't
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notice these strange Quantum effects
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because they mostly happen at incredibly
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tiny scales like inside atoms but those
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tiny scales make up everything we see
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touch and interact with the phone in
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your hand the chair you're sitting on
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even the cells in your body they all
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operate under these Quantum rules when
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you look around you see solid objects in
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definite positions
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but at the quantum level particles are
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constantly shifting existing in multiple
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places at once and only settling into a
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single state when measured or observed
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this is why quantum mechanics is so
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mind-bending it challenges our usual
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ideas about reality showing us that at
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the deepest level the universe is far
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stranger and more connected than we
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might think so while you might not see
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Quantum effects in your day-to-day life
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they're there shaping everything around
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you in ways that are both both subtle
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and profound and understanding these
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principles gives us insights into the
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true nature of reality where the rules
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aren't as straightforward as they seem
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for nearly a century physicists have
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been trying to uncover the most basic
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building blocks of reality often
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describing systems without fully
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grasping what's happening within them
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take the 1930s for instance when in Rico
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fery figured out how a neutron decays
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into a proton and releases an electron a
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process known as beta Decay fy's
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understanding was based solely on the
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electrons protons and neutrons involved
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it wasn't until decades later with the
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discovery of the w and z bosons that
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scientists realized there was a deeper
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more intricate layer of interactions
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happening on an even smaller scale from
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today's Viewpoint fery's description
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serves as a classic example of an
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effective field Theory
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EFT this is a mathematical framework
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that lets us break down reality into
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different size scales and study each one
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separately it's like a set of Russian
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matrioska dolls you can understand the
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outer doll without needing to know
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what's inside similarly in physics we
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can grasp certain phenomena without
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fully understanding the deeper layers
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that might be hidden within essentially
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efts allow us to understand and work
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with parts of the universe at different
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scales different sizes and energies
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without needing to understand the full
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picture all at once as physicist Cliff
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Burgess puts it everything is an
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eft the universe operates on various
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scales and each scale corresponds to a
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different level of energy the largest
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scales like galaxies and the observable
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universe are associated with the lowest
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energies these Cosmic structures are
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governed primarily by gravity which is
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the weakest of the four fundamental
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forces the energy associated with these
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scales is relatively low as the
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interactions between objects are
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dominated by long range gravitational
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forces conversely the smallest
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components of reality such as subatomic
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particles are linked to the highest
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energies at this level we see a
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significant increase in energy the
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electromagnetic force dominates here
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governing the interactions between
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electrons and atomic nuclei the energies
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associated with phenomena at this scale
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are the highest we can observe or create
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in particle
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accelerators this inverse relationship
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between scale and energy is a crucial
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aspect of our understanding of the
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universe for example when fmy described
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how a neutron decays into a proton and
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an electron firmy didn't have the
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powerful tools like the Large Hadron
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Collider that we have today so he
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couldn't detect the smaller scale
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reality of particles like the W boson
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that mediates this
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interaction his description was
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effective for his time but wasn't
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approxim
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of a more fundamental Theory today we
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understand that the standard model of
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particle physics our best theory
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describing the basic building blocks of
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matter is itself an
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EFT it successfully explains many
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aspects of particle physics but doesn't
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include Gravity the mysterious dark
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matter or fully account for the peculiar
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masses of
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neutrinos this realization shows us that
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the standard model like fairy's earlier
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work is only part of a bigger picture
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as useful as efts are they can sometimes
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obscure a deeper understanding of the
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universe for instance when physicists
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try to calculate the mass of particles
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like the higs bosan using the standard
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model they run into What's called the
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fine-tuning problem in quantum mechanics
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particles can briefly transform into
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short-lived virtual particles before
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returning to their original state these
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virtual particles contribute to a
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particle's mass but calculating this
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contribution depends depends on the
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energy scales we're working
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within the problem arises because
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according to the theory the higs bosan
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mass should be much larger than what we
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actually
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observe this discrepancy is as unlikely
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as a pencil perfectly balancing on its
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tip something known as
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fine-tuning to solve these puzzles
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physicists have proposed various
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theories such as super symmetry or the
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existence of extra Dimensions these
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ideas suggest that new particles or
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Dimensions could be responsible for
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balancing out the quantum fluctuations
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that affect particle masses however
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experiments at the the large hadrin
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collider have yet to find evidence
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supporting these theories leading to
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what some describe as a crisis in
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particle physics this has prompted some
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physicists to explore more radical
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approaches instead of viewing the
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different scales of the universe like
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the smallest particles and the largest
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Cosmic structures as independent they
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are beginning to treat them as
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interconnected the idea that the
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Universe can be understood through its
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smallest components with each tiny part
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reflecting the whole creates a sense of
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coherence across different levels of
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observation this perspective suggests
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that by examining the fundamental
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elements of the universe we can uncover
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patterns and connections that unify the
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smallest details with the larger
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structure this approach challenges the
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traditional idea of reducing everything
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to smaller and smaller parts to
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understand the universe instead it
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suggests that these parts might all
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influence each other in ways we don't
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yet fully understand we'll talk about
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this later in the video to illustrate
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this think of a rainbow the visible
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colors represent the part of the
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electromagnetic spectrum that we can see
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beyond the Violet end lies the
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ultraviolet UV region associated with
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higher energies and smaller scales like
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those where quantum gravity might come
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into play on the other end Beyond red
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lies the infrared IR region linked to
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larger scales and lower energies like
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those associated with the vast distances
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in the universe each color in the
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rainbow is distinct yet they all blend
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seamlessly into one continuous Spectrum
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illustrating the unity and coherence of
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light similarly the different scales of
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the Universe from the tiniest particles
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to the vast Cosmic structures are
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interconnected parts of a unified
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hole just as the rainbow's colors are
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manifestations of the same underlying
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phenomenon of light the various
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components of the universe reflect a
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deeper interconnected reality suggesting
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a cohesive understanding of the
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cosmos physicists have long believed
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that the standard model breaks down at
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the plank scale but Recent research
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suggests that there might also be a
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lower limit where gravity takes over at
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very large distances or low Energies
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hinting at a connection between these
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vastly different scales a phenomenon
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known as uvir mixing a situation where
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high energy ultraviolet and low energy
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infrared effects become unexpectedly
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interconnected it challenges the
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conventional separation between these
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energy scales this idea of uvir mixing
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suggests that the smallest and largest
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scales of the universe might not be
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independent of each other but are
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instead deeply connected some theorists
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even propose that quantum entanglement
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where particles are linked in such a way
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that the state of one immediately
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influences the state of another
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regardless of distance could be the key
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to understanding this connection if true
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this could mean that what happens at the
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tiniest scales of the universe could
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influence the largest and vice
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versa this brings us back to the idea of
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the universe as a single Quantum object
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at the most fundamental level the idea
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that the universe is a single Quantum
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object challenges our conventional
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understanding of
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reality this perspective emerges from
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the principles of quantum mechanics
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where the distinctions between separate
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objects particles and even forces start
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to blur when we consider the universe in
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its entirety we're confronted with a
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deeply interconnected holistic reality
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that defies classical intuitions one of
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the cornerstones of quantum mechanics
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that supports this idea is quantum
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entanglement when two or more particles
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become entangled their properties become
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so deeply linked that the state of one
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particle instantly influences the state
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of the other regardless of the distance
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between
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them this phenomenon suggests that the
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separation between objects is not as
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clear-cut as it appears in our everyday
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experience Albert Einstein famously
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referred to it as spooky action at a
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distance if quantum entanglement can
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connect particles across vast distances
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it might also link different energy
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scales from the plank scale to the
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cosmic scale this would mean that the
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Universe isn't made up of independent
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Parts but is instead a single
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indivisible entity in the words of
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quantum Pioneer David B the universe
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could be seen as a single indivisible
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unit with everything in existence
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encoded in a universal wave function a
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mathematical description of a single
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entangled state
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this perspective challenges the way
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we've traditionally understood the
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cosmos it suggests that instead of
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focusing on smaller and smaller pieces
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to understand reality we need to
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consider the universe as a whole where
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every part influences every other part
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this holistic view could revolutionize
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our understanding of fundamental physics
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and bring us closer to a more complete
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picture of how the universe is put
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together in this view the universe is
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not a collection of isol ated Parts but
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a single unified system where everything
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is
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interconnected every part of the
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Universe from the smallest subatomic
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particle to the largest galaxy is part
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of this interconnected hole this
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entangled web forms the fabric of
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reality binding the cosmos together in
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ways that are beyond our conventional
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understanding In classical physics we
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draw clear lines between objects and
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forces we talk about space as a vast
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empty stage on which matter and energy
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perform their dance time is seen as a
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linear progression moving forward from
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the past to the future but when we view
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the universe as a single Quantum object
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these distinctions begin to blur space
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and time themselves become emergent
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properties not fundamental aspects of
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reality but results of the underlying
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Quantum state of the
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universe in this view space and time are
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like the surface of the ocean what we
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see and experience in our everyday Liv
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lives are just the ripples on the
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surface while the deeper reality Lies
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Beneath imagine a wave on the ocean to
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an observer on the shore the wave
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appears as a distinct moving object with
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a clear beginning and end but we know
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that the wave is not a separate entity
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it's simply a manifestation of the
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movement of water molecules within the
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ocean similarly the objects and events
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we observe in the universe are like
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waves on the surface of of a deeper
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Quantum sea they are not isolated
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entities but expressions of the
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underlying Quantum field that connects
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everything now just as the wave on the
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ocean is an expression of the water
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beneath quantum mechanics introduces us
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to another type of wave one that's not
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made of water or any physical substance
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but of probabilities and potential
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outcomes this is where the concept of
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the wave function comes into play in
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quantum mechanics the wave function is a
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mathematical function that describes the
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probabilities of a Quantum system's
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various possible States when we extend
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this concept to the universe as a whole
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we arrive at the idea of the wave
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function of the universe this wave
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function doesn't just describe a single
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particle or system it encapsulates the
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totality of all possible states of the
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universe in this view the universe is
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like a blend of all possible outcomes
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with every potential State existing at
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the same time time until it's observed
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or measured this idea brings us to a
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powerful conclusion the entire universe
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is a single Quantum entity where all
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possibilities are connected and depend
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on each other seeing the universe as one
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Quantum object changes how we think
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about reality it suggests that the
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separations we see are Just an Illusion
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a useful one for everyday life but an
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illusion
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nonetheless at the deepest Lev level
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there's no true division no separate
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objects or events everything is part of
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one continuous interconnected
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ho this idea is further supported by the
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concept of non-locality in quantum
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mechanics the concept of non-locality in
16:47
quantum mechanics further reinforces the
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idea of the universe as a single Quantum
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object non-locality refers to the
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phenomenon where events occurring at one
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location can instantaneous L influence
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events at another location without any
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apparent connection through space this
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challenges our classical notion of
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locality where objects and events are
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only influenced by their immediate
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surroundings if non-locality applies
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universally then the entire Cosmos is
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interconnected in a way that transcends
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the limits of space and time every point
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in the universe is potentially connected
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to every other point not through the
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familiar fabric of space but through a
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deeper Quantum reality
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this suggests that space itself might be
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an emergent property of this underlying
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quantum entanglement rather than a
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fundamental aspect of
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reality non-locality is not just a
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theoretical curiosity it has been
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experimentally verified in numerous
17:45
studies the fact that particles can be
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entangled and influence each other
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instantaneously across great distances
17:52
suggests that the universe is not
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composed of isolated independent Parts
17:57
but is instead a single interconnected
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Quantum system it means that the
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Universe does not operate according to
18:04
the classical deterministic laws we once
18:06
thought it did but instead follows a
18:08
deeper non-local Quantum logic taking
18:12
the concept even further some
18:14
interpretations of quantum mechanics
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propose a connection between the
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universe and Consciousness the idea here
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is that the act of observation or
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measurement is what causes the wave
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function to collapse selecting a single
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outcome from the superos I of
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possibilities if the universe is a
18:31
single Quantum object then Consciousness
18:34
itself might be intertwined with the
18:35
quantum state of the universe but the
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Quantum View goes even further in this
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fabric every part of the universe is
18:43
aware of every other part this is not
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Consciousness in the human sense but a
18:48
kind of quantum awareness where the
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state of one part of the universe is
18:51
intimately linked with the state of
18:53
another this is the essence of
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entanglement on a universal scale it
18:58
means that the Universe behaves as a
19:00
single entity with its parts influencing
19:03
each other in ways that transcend the
19:04
limitations of space and
19:06
time the universe as a singular Quantum
19:10
object might be as much a product of
19:12
Consciousness as Consciousness is a
19:14
product of the
19:15
universe this idea is speculative but it
19:18
opens up new avenues for understanding
19:20
the relationship between mind matter and
19:23
the cosmos this idea draws on the
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concept of pans psychism the belief that
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Consciousness is a fundamental aspect of
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all matter and that even the most basic
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particles possess a rudimentary form of
19:36
awareness while this idea is highly
19:38
speculative and remains on the fringes
19:40
of scientific thought it challenges the
19:42
conventional separation between mind and
19:45
matter suggesting that Consciousness is
19:47
not confined to biological organisms but
19:50
is a fundamental feature of the universe
19:52
itself in this view the universe is not
19:55
a cold lifeless machine but a dynamic
19:59
self-organizing system that evolves and
20:02
adapts in response to its internal
20:03
Quantum
20:05
interactions this perspective aligns
20:07
with some interpretations of quantum
20:08
mechanics which suggest that the act of
20:11
observation plays a crucial role in
20:13
shaping reality if the universe is a
20:16
living conscious system then the
20:18
distinction between Observer and
20:19
observed becomes meaningless as both are
20:22
part of the same Quantum process
20:24
building on this perspective if future
20:27
experiments confirm the idea of uvir
20:29
mixing and the role of quantum
20:31
entanglement in connecting different
20:33
scales it would fundamentally alter our
20:35
conception of the universe we would see
20:38
that the Universe in its entirety is not
20:41
just a collection of separate objects
20:43
and forces but is a single
20:45
interconnected Quantum entity this
20:48
understanding would not only help us
20:49
solve some of the biggest puzzles in
20:51
physics such as the nature of dark
20:53
energy and the mass of neutrinos but it
20:56
would also offer a new way of thinking
20:58
about the Cosmos one that views the
21:00
universe as a unified whole where every
21:03
part is intimately connected to every
21:05
other
21:07
part all we've talked about in this
21:09
video may seem kind of weird but that's
21:12
because we're pushing the boundaries of
21:14
what we know and what we think we know
21:16
about the
21:17
universe it's not just about quirky
21:19
quantum mechanics or abstract theories
21:22
it's about challenging our most
21:23
fundamental assumptions what if the
21:26
separations we see between objects for
21:28
es and even ourselves are just
21:30
Illusions what if at the deepest level
21:33
everything is connected in ways that
21:35
defy our conventional understanding the
21:38
universe as a single Quantum entity
21:40
might sound strange but it could hold
21:42
the key to unlocking some of the
21:44
greatest mysteries in science and
21:46
perhaps more importantly it invites us
21:49
to see reality in a new light one where
21:51
everything is part of a unified whole
21:54
intimately connected and constantly
21:56
influencing each other in ways that are
21:58
both profound and beautiful so while it
22:02
might feel a bit out there this
22:04
perspective might just bring us closer
22:06
to the truth about our place in the
22:08
cosmos thank you for watching check out
22:11
this video where we also discuss about
22:13
quantum mechanics and I'll see you there
