[LINK] "Observer consciousness collapses the quantum wave function"

[Roger Clarke]

I smell a nested spoof:

 > ... controversial claim: Observer consciousness collapses the quantum 
wave function in a double-slit experiment.

 > ... novel research protocol [to study it]

Sceptics Australia, where are you?

____________

On 12/9/19 2:40 pm, Stephen Loosley wrote:
> Metascience Research Reform Movement
> 
> https://www.fetzer-franklin-fund.org/projects/advanced-meta-experimental-protocol/
> 
> 
> "How to reveal uncontrolled false-positives in scientific experiments?"
> 
> A novel research protocol has been published for improving the scientific process towards more robust findings:
> 
>     “The Advanced Meta-Experimental Protocol (AMP).”
> 
> To download the manuscript describing the new research protocol click on the link https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01891
> 
> Background
> 
> As a first test case, the AMP was implemented to study this controversial claim: Observer consciousness collapses the quantum wave function in a double-slit experiment.
> 
> For explanation, one potential mechanism for mind-matter interaction is based on quantum mechanics, in particular the proposal that observer consciousness collapses the wave function.
> 
> For sure, the implications for science and for our image of reality would be revolutionary, if a quantum-observer effect could be demonstrated under controlled laboratory conditions. Indeed, a new branch of science would be opened up as a result.
> 
> Previously, in a series of studies, Radin and collaborators have claimed laboratory evidence for the intentional action of observer consciousness on laser light-interference intensity in a double-slit apparatus.
> 
> To rigorously test the validity of this claim, the novel research protocol (AMP), which includes systematic sham-experiments, i.e., counterfactual meta-experimentation, was adopted in a confirmatory replication attempt of the Radin double-slit experiment. Whereas the replication study was unable to confirm the original results, the AMP identified a statistically-significant false-positive effect with the sham-experiment in the absence of the test subjects.
> 
> Publication Abstract (Walleczek and von Stillfried, 2019)
> 
> Prior work by Radin et al. (2012, 2016) reported the astonishing claim that an anomalous effect on double-slit (DS) light-interference intensity had been measured as a function of quantum-based observer consciousness.
> 
> Given the radical implications, could there exist an alternative explanation, other than an anomalous consciousness effect, such as artifacts including systematic methodological error (SME)? To address this question, a conceptual replication study involving 10,000 test trials was commissioned to be performed blindly by the same investigator who had reported the original results.
> 
> The commissioned study performed confirmatory and strictly predictive tests with the advanced meta-experimental protocol (AMP), including with systematic negative controls and the concept of the sham-experiment, i.e., counterfactual meta-experimentation. Whereas the replication study was unable to confirm the original results, the AMP was able to identify an unacceptably low true-negative detection rate with the sham-experiment in the absence of test subjects. The false-positive detection rate reached 50%, whereby the false-positive effect, which would be indistinguishable from the predicted true-positive effect, was significant at p = 0.021 (σ = −2.02; N = 1,250 test trials). The false-positive effect size was about 0.01%, which is within an-order-of-magnitude of the claimed consciousness effect (0.001%; Radin et al., 2016).
> 
> The false-positive effect, which indicates the presence of significant SME in the Radin DS-experiment, suggests that skepticism should replace optimism concerning the radical claim that an anomalous quantum consciousness effect has been observed in a controlled laboratory setting.
> 
> PUBLICATIONS:
> Walleczek J. and von Stillfried N. (2019) False-positive Effect in the Radin Double-slit Experiment on Observer Consciousness as Determined with the Advanced Meta-experimental Protocol. Front. Psychol. 10:1891, 22 August 2019; DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01891
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> 


-- 
Roger Clarke                            mailto:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au
T: +61 2 6288 6916   http://www.xamax.com.au  http://www.rogerclarke.com

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Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Law            University of N.S.W.
Visiting Professor in Computer Science    Australian National University