Quantum Convergence .Dualism vs. immaterialism Consider the mounting evidence for a conceptual convergence on the quantum zone. What we see most prominently are two apparently disparate developments. The most obvious is the continuing progress toward a quantum interpretation of gravity, which is still the missing link in the unification of physics. The second development is the continuing turn toward quantum based explanations on the part of the consciousness research community.
A less obvious connection is with the recent proof of Fermat’s last theorem. That proof holds out the promise of a more unified mathematics especially in areas that pertain to the unification of quantum physics.
The consciousness researchers have not yet absorbed these other developments that reinforce their hunch about the quantum basis of the mind. The perceived structural richness of the quantum domain is being expanded by the unification of physics, while the more powerful mental tools of the mathematicians are increasingly penetrating that domain. Our minds are beginning to legitimize their place in the world. And then along comes quantum computing.
A naïve dualist might hope that a quantum core would finally provide computers with consciousness and the long sought natural intelligence that goes with it. But she then might wonder who would compute if computers could scream. Who indeed?
It has already been demonstrated that quantum computers can perform some operations that are unfeasible for their digital cousins, including solving a whole class of problems that are digitally inaccessible. The leading theorist of quantum computation effectively argues that the power of these machines derives from their ability to tap into an infinity of parallel realities in the course of their computations. He is utilizing what has become a nearly standard interpretation of the quantum superposition principle. But even this is not dualism.
A dualist who was not squeamish about possible ethical issues might consider using a quantum computer to tap into the mental realm to extract information from it that might not be accessible to our own minds. God knows what might be out there. At the least he might hope to explore mathematical structures not yet even dreamt of – structures that might make fractals look tame. By exploiting the quantum links back into our own consciousness, we could launch ourselves directly into these alternate realities with our quantum computing backpacks. Cyberspace would take on a whole new dimension.
An immaterialist might be a bit more cautious. She would point out that we already exist in the cyberspace of the cosmic mind. Normal reality is just our current mode of dreaming. At best, quantum computers are just a dreamed up surrogate for real transcendence.
My own take is both more pragmatic and more hopeful. This dream is bigger than all of us so let’s go along and see if we can use the historical momentum behind the technology to leverage and to mainstream the eschatological charism of our awakening. We will have to do our best to expand the thinking of the dualists, which would likely dominate the initial endeavor.
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rev. 10/16/98