The Voting Centre
- Noah Heywood
- Feb 26
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 27
Now comes the moment you've been waiting for - it's time to vote!
To establish the true popularity of each interpretation of quantum mechanics, we want you to answer these 10 questions as honestly as possible.
Be sure to check out our analysis of the results as they come in! Will the Copenhagen Interpretation survive the brutal test of public opinion???
Is Relational Quantum mechanics useful?
Yes - it is a complete theory that works with current ideas
Yes - defining no objective reality fits with relativity
No - the idea is too abstract and hard to apply formally
Are theories of Hidden Variables helpful?
Yes - they can accurately describe the whole universe
Yes - so long as we can eventually measure them!
No - QM is complete, we just need to understand it
No - If we can't measure it, its not useful to physics
In your opinion, is the idea of the wavefunction being a mathematical tool of the observer as opposed to a feature of nature itself satisfactory?
This is my favourite idea yet!
It is an interesting idea, but not completely satisfactory.
Personally, I prefer the wavefunction being a real thing.
Terrible idea!
Is Retro-Causality a Real Phenomena or Just a Mathematical Trick?
it's real (at least on a quantum scale)
Time travel is a ridiculous notion
Yes, but only if the particle can travel at 88mph 😉
Do you think that a conscious observer plays any role in quantum mechanics?
Of course! What kind of observer isn't conscious?
Be serious, no!
I don't know, go ask a neuroscientist
In my opinion, the Copenhagen Interpretation is popular because...
it sums up the probabilistic nature of the quantum world
it predicts all sorts of new quantum phenomena
it was thought up by very famous physicists
einstein didn't like it!
Do you think that a conscious observer plays any role in quantum mechanics?
Of course! What kind of observer isn't conscious?
Be serious, no!
I don't know, go ask a neuroscientist
Which Single Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics is the most complete?
Copenhagen
QBism
Relational
Hidden Variables
Which interpretation of Quantum Mechanics is the most useful to scientists?
Many Worlds
Copenhagen
Hidden Variables
Transactional
Which Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics is your favourite?
Transactional
QBism
Copenhagen
Hidden Variables
And the results are in...
Key Outcomes:
QBism proved the most popular overall interpretation, but loses out to the Copenhagen interpretation on completeness and usefulness - clearly QIDB users prefer a wave function that is unique to the observer - a more reassuring conclusion to the ideas of probabilism and the measurement problem for them. Hidden Variables comes a close 3rd in the purple polls, reinforcing its marmite status in the world of quantum mechanical interpretations - you either love it or you hate it!
Users are a big fan of the Copenhagen interpretation for its accuracy to experiment. This makes sense - after all, the necessity of forming new interpretations is based on evidence, obtained by vital voices like John Bell.
Users believe the relational theory of quantum mechanics fits well with their understanding of relativity - perhaps the lack of popularity for this idea comes from the approach of Richard Feynman, for there is no way to 'shut up and calculate' here.
Any Surprises?
The transactional approach seems unpopular with QIDBers - clearly time travel is not a possibility - do better!
Looking the future of Quantum Mechanics...
As further experiments in quantum mechanics aim to understand the true nature of reality, it is hoped that conclusions from these results can further shape ideas of what the best way to describe quantum physics is. QIDBers certainly prefer a testable hypothesis over a philosophical exercise - time to get to the lab and make QM work for us!
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