Jonathan Allday: Quantum Reality

Amongst physical theories, quantum mechanics is unique in having no clear consensus regarding the physical interpretation of the mathematics. This may signal that we do not yet have the correct concepts in place. However, this does not mean that we are free to make anything up. There has been a steady rise in ‘quantum hype’; the attempt to justify approaches and philosophies from a dubious recourse to quantum reality.

Nevertheless, it is possible to build a minimal argument drawn from indisputable aspects of quantum theory. In this talk, I will review how the quantum description of the world works and explain what I believe to be fair and reasonable conclusions about the nature of reality.

Jonathan Allday was born in Liverpool in 1960. He did his first degree in Natural Sciences at Cambridge (1982) and then returned to Liverpool to complete a PhD in elementary particle physics. As part of this, he was fortunate to spend some time working at the European particle physics centre, CERN, in Geneva. Jonathan’s first book Quarks, Leptons and the Big Bang, was published in 1998 and is about to enter its fourth edition. He has also collaborated on a couple of textbooks and written his own books on Quantum Theory, General Relativity and the Apollo moon missions. His book on Entropy will be out in September (The T-shirt is the book cover). Professionally, Jonathan worked as a physics teacher for 30 years. He was a head of physics, a head of science and latterly an Academic Deputy Head. He retired in 2020 and now runs a consulting company providing training and educational advice for schools. When not writing or consulting, Jonathan enjoys watching cricket, James Bond movies and Formula 1 races.