Thought Experiment: Measuring the Circumference of the Earth from a Bedroom

3 points by richardjennings 163 days ago | 2 comments

I want to measure the circumference of the Earth by looking out of my bedroom window without having to ask for anyones help.

As much as I have tried, I cannot realise the circumference without first measuring a distance. Please tell me if this is not the case somehow.

If it is not possible to know the explicit measured circumference, but I can know values such as orbital angles, I find that the reality of the circumference is in a superposition relative to myself, it has no actual meaning to me.

Without having used science to make measurements, I do not exist in a classical reality, I exist in a quantum one. How can I quantify how relativity applies to me without having derived any numbers (e.g. too busy playing computer games). Clearly it does apply, but the quantities are not measured.

If I do not exist in a classical reality because I never measured anything, I do not have to accept that knowing everything about the system around me results in a deterministic outcome, I can have confidence that a predetermined outcome does not apply. Potentially deterministic outcomes are decided by my decision to make measurements.

From my attempt to measure the circumference of the Earth from my bedroom I have concluded that Classical Physics is the result of Science (measurements) and not a fundamental truth about reality. I have determined that the outcome that becomes fixed via measurement is the result of my decision to make a measurement and from this I determine that I have free will.

reliefcrew 163 days ago |

I like this, but you still have to pay your taxes.

richardjennings 162 days ago | |

Indeed.

The suggestion is that classical reality cannot exist without absolute values (an instantiation if you will), consciousness operates where those values have not been established, therefore consciousness is free from classical determinism. As reality appears to function without having been instantiated, there must be an intermediate between the quantum world and the quantified classical one which is independent of any special values, where scale is not a dimension. Or otherwise, relational structures exist without absolute reference frames.

Yes then, it appears that taxes are ratios and numerical values which also exist and are enforceable independently of a fully established classical reality. I do indeed have to pay my taxes !