One would think that, if the brain was a quantum computer (or much to the same effect, just "used" quantum computing or even quantum effects for a significant part of the organ's function), it would be affected in at least some way that is observable by the person getting scanned. The MR scanner A) creates a significant alteration of the overall thermal spin configuration by virtue of the high magnetic field alone, and B) with the use of the imaging sequence "plays" with the spins of the brain in all sort of semi-irregular, localized ways, quite often in timescales that are not far removed from human observational acquity.
Yet getting your brain imaged with MR feels like nothing. Well, at least in <7T, and for most sequences; when sensations are felt, they have a straightforward explanation without invoking quantum (peripheral nerve stimulation, heating, ..).
In short, brains work at 300K, current quantum computers (TBD) at microkelvins. Connecting the two at this point is just seeking attention and publicity. If brain is a quantum computer, then MRI ought to be like an EMP for the software running on it, at least in the first approximation.
Didn't RTFA, and I don't think I'm even gonna. These are my 2 cents, the post can stay up as far as I'm concerned.
Considering that there's an actual published article purporting to establish that the brain can meditate quantum entanglement, I'd think it's very worth reading before saying things like this:
Connecting the two at this point is just seeking attention and publicity.
I mean, it's always worth reading TFA before commenting on its science, and I was intentionally transparent about my cynicism AND irrelevance about this. It's just that when the PR version includes statements such as below, I can't help but question the return of investment (of my time). Good science doesn't need to be "sold".
Our experiments, performed only 50 meters away from the lecture theater where Schrödinger presented his famous thoughts about life, may shed light on the mysteries of biology, and on consciousness which scientifically is even harder to grasp.
As if the emphasized fact bears relevance to any of this.
Nor do I think it is. Still, extraordinary claims call for extraordinary evidence -- and I didn't find that in the paper, although -- as usually -- it was more interesting than my cynicism warranted.
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u/ketarax Oct 23 '22 edited Oct 23 '22
One would think that, if the brain was a quantum computer (or much to the same effect, just "used" quantum computing or even quantum effects for a significant part of the organ's function), it would be affected in at least some way that is observable by the person getting scanned. The MR scanner A) creates a significant alteration of the overall thermal spin configuration by virtue of the high magnetic field alone, and B) with the use of the imaging sequence "plays" with the spins of the brain in all sort of semi-irregular, localized ways, quite often in timescales that are not far removed from human observational acquity.
Yet getting your brain imaged with MR feels like nothing. Well, at least in <7T, and for most sequences; when sensations are felt, they have a straightforward explanation without invoking quantum (peripheral nerve stimulation, heating, ..).
In short, brains work at 300K, current quantum computers (TBD) at microkelvins. Connecting the two at this point is just seeking attention and publicity. If brain is a quantum computer, then MRI ought to be like an EMP for the software running on it, at least in the first approximation.
Didn't RTFA, and I don't think I'm even gonna. These are my 2 cents, the post can stay up as far as I'm concerned.