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Dave Bacon is a theoretical ski bum who is also a pseudo professor. His research is on quantum computing, his scientific passions extend to everything in physics, mathematics, computer science and beyond, and his personal pleasures include making wine, playing poker, skiing, camping, and daydreaming (although not all of those at the same time.)
Nothing he says on this blog should be construed as having anything to do with his employer or his dog.
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« Gelfand 1913-2009 | Main | Nobel in Chemistry »
Confession...
Category: Go Ahead, Waste Your Time • Quantum
Posted on: October 6, 2009 2:25 PM, by Dave Bacon
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Comments
I thought you were "crazy busy." This is your third (maybe fourth?) post today.
Posted by: Ian Durham | October 6, 2009 5:53 PM
"Impure thoughts" is a real groaner.
Posted by: Stephan Hoyer | October 6, 2009 6:27 PM
You think I write these posts at the time they are posted? ;)
Posted by: Dave Bacon | October 6, 2009 8:10 PM
Heck, it was none other than Saunders Mac Lane who said "It has taken me fifty years to understand classical mechanics."
One option is to read Arnol'd's [i]Classical Mechanics[/i], and then embrace a new mathematical life as a classical-quantum hermaphrodite! :)
Posted by: John Sidles | October 6, 2009 8:17 PM
I work with a Polish emigre. He showed me his notes [in Polish] from when he taught classical mechanics. He used a diagram to illustrate the following things.
If you start with classical mechanics. It becomes quantum mechanics when you assert H has a non-zero lower bound. It becomes a field theory when you assert \bar{h} has a non-zero lower bound. It becomes a relativistic theory when you assert that c has a finite upper bound. [So, a relativistic quantum field theory sets all three parameters].
So, the whole classical-quantum distinction has been lost on me, since I actually thought it was important. Sometimes I wonder if this parametric view skews my understanding of the state of affairs.
Posted by: David | October 7, 2009 2:28 PM