With the onslaught of forays into New Physics has come a revival of some old theories which originally struggled to see the light of day. Everett’s Interpretation, a framework of quantum mechanics outlining the parameters of the Multiverse, refused to be granted mainstream respect until after the death of its originator in 1982. Indeed the purist would say, as is said here, that Hugh Everett never postulated multiple universes in the first place, even though he is 'credited' (using the term loosely) with MWT (Many-Worlds Theory) originality. Today, the Multiverse is adopted as a plausible foundation for reality not only by respected physicists but by a growing proportion of society as the population upgrades its quest for an identifiable vista of the way our Universe works in relation to the way we work ourselves. For as you'll see in the links above, what links the parameters of the MWT with other variants on the theme is in fact the collapse of the wave form.
Among the various principles of physics proving to be of current interest in this vein is Retrocausality.
If you thought Time was a past-to-future arrow, think again.
This mind-blowing translation of the workings of Time drifted from the ether of Wheeler-Feynman Absorber Theory, which found that particles such as electrons don’t restrict themselves to the forward-moving arrow of time we perceive, but are subject to equal demands from the past and the future, via waves known as ‘advanced’ (those coming from the future) and ‘retarded’ (those coming from the past). This enables electrons to behave the way they do, both electronically and electro-magnetically. The ‘absorber’ part of the theory describes the process by which time is essentially ‘absorbed’ within the wave packet of the electron, allowing it to operate in real-time as if the present moment were the only one to exist. Here, an article goes into more depth about the implications of retrocausality, where "getting rid of Einsteins' spooky action at a distance" actually implies that non-locality and time symmetry are connected.
If you thought Time was a past-to-future arrow, think again.
This mind-blowing translation of the workings of Time drifted from the ether of Wheeler-Feynman Absorber Theory, which found that particles such as electrons don’t restrict themselves to the forward-moving arrow of time we perceive, but are subject to equal demands from the past and the future, via waves known as ‘advanced’ (those coming from the future) and ‘retarded’ (those coming from the past). This enables electrons to behave the way they do, both electronically and electro-magnetically. The ‘absorber’ part of the theory describes the process by which time is essentially ‘absorbed’ within the wave packet of the electron, allowing it to operate in real-time as if the present moment were the only one to exist. Here, an article goes into more depth about the implications of retrocausality, where "getting rid of Einsteins' spooky action at a distance" actually implies that non-locality and time symmetry are connected.
By definition, this allows us to realise the property of Now in the framework of Retrocausality, wherein the past and the future are equally positioned in Real TIme. We view the past as a fixed commodity, when in fact our perception of events changes constantly. We might feel aggrieved by a quarrel, for example, to later reach a frame of mind whereby the debate was essential for personal progress. We can delve into the depths of sorrow over the closure of an event or relationship to find that time alters our viewpoint in the aftermath of what occurred. Whether these changes in viewpoint affect our trajectory into the future is undefined, but possible. Probable, even, given that a positive outlook has been shown to invite positive outcomes.
Howsoever this may be, the fundamental principle of Retrocausality is that the future in some way affects the past, via the present moment; in other words, cause-and-effect works both ways.
While neither Wheeler nor Feynman remain alive to see the revival, it stands to reason that reworking our perception of Time is going to prove beneficial. There is no need, after all, to worry about a future that is going to happen anyway. Nor is there any need to grieve about the past (although we all catch ourselves doing this from time to time). Prior to arriving at references to Retrocausality, I’d been led to believe (as have many people) that Now is the only point that counts, and that while time is a flexible commodity (having very little to do with clocks), there is a future sketched out with allowance for variations (since Uncertainty has to have its say in there somewhere), according to a grander scheme of things than we are given to imagine. We’re simply not permitted to know, for reasons known to greater powers, what it looks like. While most people could cite snippets of information about future events looking spookily like precognition, Uncertainty reigns in guarding the gates of things to come. However it may seem at the time, it's the timing of things beyond our control that makes the sum of a lifetime. We have scientists of the past to thank in providing sound platforms for the science of the future, where I’m absolutely certain we are all destined to share in the workable, worthwhile spoils.
Howsoever this may be, the fundamental principle of Retrocausality is that the future in some way affects the past, via the present moment; in other words, cause-and-effect works both ways.
While neither Wheeler nor Feynman remain alive to see the revival, it stands to reason that reworking our perception of Time is going to prove beneficial. There is no need, after all, to worry about a future that is going to happen anyway. Nor is there any need to grieve about the past (although we all catch ourselves doing this from time to time). Prior to arriving at references to Retrocausality, I’d been led to believe (as have many people) that Now is the only point that counts, and that while time is a flexible commodity (having very little to do with clocks), there is a future sketched out with allowance for variations (since Uncertainty has to have its say in there somewhere), according to a grander scheme of things than we are given to imagine. We’re simply not permitted to know, for reasons known to greater powers, what it looks like. While most people could cite snippets of information about future events looking spookily like precognition, Uncertainty reigns in guarding the gates of things to come. However it may seem at the time, it's the timing of things beyond our control that makes the sum of a lifetime. We have scientists of the past to thank in providing sound platforms for the science of the future, where I’m absolutely certain we are all destined to share in the workable, worthwhile spoils.
UPDATE 2020
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Come along to the Quantumology Group on Facebook where we discuss these interesting subjects on a free-thinking basis. Live Videos to join in with every Monday, physicists present to answer tricky questions, and lots of people like you and me exploring this territory with enthusiastic curiosity.
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