And now, we'd like to announce the beginning of an ambitious new program, investigating Physics of the Observer.
We're asking you to take a long hard look at yourself -- and to think about what it means to be an "observer". Many problems in physics and cosmology implicitly or explicitly include this idea of an observer. But a tendency within physics to focus on objective phenomena and avoid subjectivity has led to a general avoidance of discussing exactly what an observer is. Not only has this habit avoided an intrinsically universal question, it has led to a situation in which many thinkers implicitly employ different meanings of "observer" in their work. They are then not able (or willing) to confront the impact of their definition on the questions they face.
In addition, the development of physics in the 20th century has led to a peculiar sort of polarization in thinking about the observer. Prior to the development of quantum mechanics, the observer was largely seen as irrelevant, as physics was about objective reality, by definition observer-independent. Quantum mechanics directly contradicted this view, requiring a much more nuanced understanding of the observation process and creating a lasting controversy between those embracing the observer's role and those opposing its place.
As with previous FQXi programs on the Nature of Time, the Physics of Information, and the on-going Physics of What Happens, we believe that focusing the attention of the research community will start to bring us closer to "seeing" the solution to these problems.
Like our past programs, this one will feature support for foundational physics research, an international conference, essay and video contests, plus articles, blog posts, and the ever popular FQXi podcast. In addition, this program will for the first time also have a research component directly organized and coordinated by FQXi and its personnel.
First, let us announce the launch of our next Large Grant round. We will award a total of US$2.0M for projects examining Physics of the Observer. We welcome applications related to physics, cosmology, and closely related fields, such as neuroscience, philosophy, biophysics, complex systems, computer science, mathematics, and more.
Questions to think about include:
1. What does being an observer mean? The term 'observer' is used in contexts as varied as quantum foundations, biophysics, neuroscience and cognitive science, artificial intelligence, philosophy of consciousness, relativity, and cosmology. What are the properties or attributes that a system must have in order to constitute an 'observer' in these varying contexts?
2. What sort of physical systems have the requisite properties for those systems to construe various types of observers? In a spectrum from most simple to most complex physical structures, which systems constitute observers?
3. Are there interesting questions, to which the answers depend on how we think of observers?
Initial proposals are due on January 20, 2016. You can find full details about the RFP and more examples of questions on the website here. If you have any questions on this, please contact us at mail@fqxi.org.
The second major component of the Physics of the Observer program will foster a multidisciplinary network or researchers supported by centers in the Boston area and in the San Francisco Bay area. These two "B-Area" centers will be organized by FQXi Scientific Director Max Tegmark at MIT in Boston, and FQXi Associate Scientific Director Anthony Aguirre and Joshua Deutsch at the University of California - Santa Cruz. Supplementing previous experience in cosmology, gravity, quantum foundations, etc., Deutsch brings a powerful foundation in quantum mechanics, condensed matter, statistical mechanics, and biophysics to the team. Tegmark has been recently active in neuroscience research, and Aguirre & Tegmark have also been in deep-learning mode (get it?) regarding machine intelligence, in relation to work with the Future of Life Institute. With visitor programs and local meetings, the B-Area centers will attempt to generate somewhat coherent research programs in both areas, and personnel from the B-area centers will come together for two dedicated workshops.
Please stay tuned for future updates about FQXi contests, our 2016 conference, and all the other great content on the website. Here's looking at you.