What is Real?

Every physicist agrees quantum mechanics is among humanity''s finest scientific achievements. But ask what it means, and the result will be a brawl. For a century, most physicists have followed Ni ...

Every physicist agrees quantum mechanics is among humanity''s finest scientific achievements. But ask what it means, and the result will be a brawl. For a century, most physicists have followed Niels Bohr''s Copenhagen interpretation and dismissed questions about the reality underlying quantum physics as meaningless. A mishmash of solipsism and poor reasoning, Copenhagen endured, as Bohr''s students vigorously protected his legacy, and the physics community favoured practical experiments over philosophical arguments. As a result, questioning the status quo long meant professional ruin. And yet