The Problem of Boltzmann Brains and How Bohmian Mechanics Helps Solve It
Abstract
Most versions of classical physics imply that if the 4-volume of the entire space-time is infinite or at least extremely large, then random fluctuations in the matter will by coincidence create copies of us in remote places, so called "Boltzmann brains." That is a problem because it leads to the wrong prediction that _we_ should be Boltzmann brains. The question arises, how can any theory avoid making this wrong prediction? In quantum physics, it turns out that the discussion requires a formulation of quantum theory that is more precise than the orthodox interpretation. Using Bohmian mechanics for this purpose, we point out a possible solution to the problem based on the phenomenon of "freezing" of configurations.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1812.01909,
title = {The Problem of Boltzmann Brains and How Bohmian Mechanics Helps Solve It},
author = {Roderich Tumulka},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1812.01909},
year = {2018}
}
Comments
7 pages, 2 figures (1 figure file). Written for the Proceedings of the 15th Marcel Grossmann Meeting on General Relativity (Rome 2018), edited by E. Battistelli, R.T. Jantzen, and R. Ruffini