The dizzying free fall of QBism

In conversation with Prof. Christopher A. Fuchs, Essentia Foundation's Hans Busstra explores QBism: an interpretation of quantum mechanics that puts the agent right at the centre. QBism regards quantum theory as just a ‘tool’ agents use and disclaims ontic interpretations of Schrödinger's wave function: the quantum state is not something ‘real,' but instead just our description of, or even our beliefs about, nature. Once known as Quantum Bayesianism, Fuchs has redefined QBism more radically as: 'Quantum Bettabilitarianism.' As agents, we make ‘bets’ on the behavior of the universe in its interactions with us. Though QBism does not equal analytical idealism, in this conversation we touch upon a striking similarity: namely, that pure experience (i.e. phenomenal consciousness) is what quantum theory points to as fundamental in nature. And this, in turn, has implications for how we look upon the meaning of life. In Fuchs' words: quantum theory gives meaning to life. 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Some opening remarks on experience and 'nature striking back' 04:27 Chris Fuchs on the definition of QBism 05:12 Was Copernicus wrong? Why QBism is a free fall 06:46 On Cubism in art and QBism in quantum theory 09:24 The metaphysical debate within quantum mechanics 11:04 What is QBism? 14:23 We bet on the behavior of the universe with us 15:51 What is an agent, an observer, a decision maker? 16:53 Quantum theory is just a manual that agents use 18:10 Chris Fuchs on his mentor John Wheeler 20:24 The participatory universe 20:57 The broken glass between observer and observed 21:50 There is no physical reality prior to measurement 22:18 Back in the quantum museum... 23:37 Chris Fuchs on the different interpretations of the wave function 25:02 Agents perform 'actions': measurement is a term we shouldn't use anymore 26:29 Must an electron 'obey' our gambles on it? 27:36 The multiverse is a dead universe 30:05 The many worlds interpretation wants to uphold determinism 32:03 Genuine novelty comes into the world, the universe is being created on the fly 33:02 From the abstract to the concrete: QBism in practice 38:16 Is QBism doing best in progressing quantum physics? 41:47 The solipsist critique: how to account for a shared world? 44:33 Order in the universe is placed there by us, by the human mind 45:38 What is the ontology of QBism? 47:24 The stuff of the world is neither mind nor matter 50:21 QBism in relationship to analytical idealism 53:06 Can quantum mechanics tell us something about the meaning of life? 58:09 A personal conclusion of the interviewer For more video's on QBism here's a playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKcJJ1R6Ypwg2NPmtNc_XgHyN2LtF0pnd or check Chris Fuchs' own channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuokFP9QsjtvAzdHt9VVJKw Thumbnail inspiration image: Vecteezy.com