• Curiousfur@yiffit.net
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    11 months ago

    So can someone who understands quantum theory higher level than a simple idiot like myself confirm if this actually holds to real quantum physics, or is it just words?

    • Naz@sh.itjust.works
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      11 months ago

      Wave function collapse is a totally real thing, yeah.

      Most quantum stuff doesn’t apply to our every day, macro lives.

      Except seeing Santa. If you see him, run.

      Don’t stop running.

      He’s faster than a deer, and you need a head start. ;)

    • ingeanus@ttrpg.network
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      11 months ago

      To a degree, yes. As was mentioned elsewhere there is a thing called Wave Function Collapse, which occurs when a measurement is taken of a quantum system and forces the system from superposition (multiple states at once) into a single state. A measurement could be seeing it, scanning it, bumping into it, etc (not human conscious observation, that’s an old and weird interpretation and not relevant nowadays).

      Before (and after as well) you actually collapse the wave function you can perform meaningful math using the quantum particles. The one way I’m familiar with is for computer calculations, which is what quantum computers are aiming for. This is basically done by canceling out certain possibilities to only allow the wave function to collapse into ways that give meaningful mathematic results.

      As such, this is barely relatable to a quantum Santa which uses this nature to perform meaningful present sharing actions simultaneously using quantum superposition of a quantum system that is spread out over a very large area. Of course, basic quantum mechanics becomes statistically the same as normal physics (i.e. 10 quadrillion particles average out to one normal human), so Santa would need to be a reality bender to allow for such small chances to occur to allow a human sized being to affect a huge area… but whatever.

    • merc@sh.itjust.works
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      11 months ago

      Yes, but no.

      A quantum Santa could deliver presents to every house simultaneously if nothing observed his passage. On the other hand, at some point the wave function will collapse, like say when people check what presents are under the tree. When the wave function collapses, the probabilities all go away and there’s a single answer, so he could deliver presents to one and only one house.

  • Evil_incarnate@lemm.ee
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    11 months ago

    This is not a problem for kids here in Finland. On Christmas Eve, there is a knock on the door and Santa Claus (Joulupukki) comes in to greet the family and bring gifts.

    No problem with observation or collapsing Christmas probability fields or whatever. He brings the presents, you thank him and that’s it.

  • Mr Fish@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    Also explains how such a big guy can climb down nonexistent chimneys. He uses quantum tunneling to get into all the houses.

    • i_love_FFT@lemmy.ml
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      11 months ago

      Google map is late to the game. NORAD has radars and has been doing it for much longer.

      Due to the uncertainty principle, they can know where he’s going or where he is, but not both at the same time.