<video><title>The Observing Universe: Observational Equivalence</title><description>Join Sebastian Schepis in a daring and radical explorarion of the nature of observation - how it works, and how we can model it. Come with us on an exploration of entropy, energy, time, embodiment, consciousness, and much more.</description><transcript><transcript><line from="00:00:00,000" to="00:00:05,520">Observational equivalence is a fascinating concept that lies at the heart of modern physics,</line><line from="00:00:05,520" to="00:00:11,920">shaping our understanding of the world around us. In essence, it states that two physical theories</line><line from="00:00:11,920" to="00:00:17,200">are observational equivalent if they predict the same outcomes for all possible experiments</line><line from="00:00:17,200" to="00:00:23,520">and observations. To put it another way, if we can't tell two theories apart based on empirical</line><line from="00:00:23,520" to="00:00:29,920">evidence, they're observational equivalent. To help illustrate this concept, let's picture</line><line from="00:00:30,000" to="00:00:36,240">two theories that both explain the behavior of a gas. The laws of thermodynamics and the</line><line from="00:00:36,240" to="00:00:42,320">laws of statistical mechanics. While they use different mathematical models to describe the same</line><line from="00:00:42,320" to="00:00:48,800">phenomenon, their predictions about the gas's behavior are identical. Consequently,</line><line from="00:00:48,800" to="00:00:55,120">they're considered observational equivalent. Not only does this concept apply to the quantum</line><line from="00:00:55,120" to="00:01:01,600">and classical domains, but it also challenges our understanding of the quantum realm as we'll</line><line from="00:01:01,600" to="00:01:08,240">delve into in the next chapter. A helpful way to grasp observational equivalence is to think</line><line from="00:01:08,240" to="00:01:14,240">of differences in form as a matter of perspective, rather than something inherent to the physical</line><line from="00:01:14,240" to="00:01:21,120">system. Essentially, two systems that are mathematically identical and indistinguishable</line><line from="00:01:21,120" to="00:01:28,560">are functionally equivalent, no matter their physical or conceptual form. This idea carries profound</line><line from="00:01:28,560" to="00:01:35,680">implications for our comprehension of reality. It suggests that the mathematical models we employ</line><line from="00:01:35,680" to="00:01:43,600">to describe physical systems might be more fundamental than the systems themselves. Moreover,</line><line from="00:01:43,600" to="00:01:50,000">different physical systems could be observational equivalent if they share the same underlying</line><line from="00:01:50,080" to="00:01:56,560">mathematical structure. In this book, we'll harness the power of observational equivalence</line><line from="00:01:56,560" to="00:02:02,080">to challenge some of science's foundational concepts without altering any of the math,</line><line from="00:02:02,640" to="00:02:08,960">by exploring the idea that seemingly separate theories and domains might be observational</line><line from="00:02:08,960" to="00:02:15,760">equivalent. We can uncover new insights into the nature of reality and the connections between</line><line from="00:02:15,840" to="00:02:22,080">different fields of study. Join us on a thrilling journey as we apply the principle of observational</line><line from="00:02:22,080" to="00:02:29,520">equivalence to topics as diverse as thermodynamics, biology, quantum physics, and artificial</line><line from="00:02:29,520" to="00:02:35,440">intelligence. We'll investigate how this principle can inform our understanding of the measurement</line><line from="00:02:35,440" to="00:02:41,760">problem, the role of consciousness in the physical world and the nature of information itself.</line><line from="00:02:42,720" to="00:02:48,000">By delving into the implications of observational equivalence, a whole new world of</line><line from="00:02:48,000" to="00:02:53,520">perspective emerges. Together we'll gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and</line><line from="00:02:53,520" to="00:02:59,840">interconnectedness of the universe we inhabit, as well as the beauty and mystery of the world around us.</line><line from="00:02:59,840" to="00:03:03,120">So let's dive in. There's so much to discover.</line></transcript></transcript></video>