692. Ruth Kastner

Ruth E. Kastner earned her M.S. in Physics and Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Maryland. Since that time, she has taught widely and conducted research in Foundations of Physics, particularly in interpretations of quantum theory. She was one of three winners of the 2021 Alumni Research Award at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is the author of 3 books: The Transactional Interpretation of Quantum Theory: The Reality of Possibility (Cambridge University Press, 2012; 2nd edition just published, 2022), Understanding Our Unseen Reality: Solving Quantum Riddles (Imperial College Press, 2015); and Adventures In Quantumland: Exploring Our Unseen Reality (World Scientific, 2019). She has presented talks and interviews throughout the world and in video recordings on the interpretational challenges of quantum theory, and has a blog at transactionalinterpretation.org. She is also a dedicated yoga practitioner and received her 200-Hour Yoga Alliance Instructor Certification in February, 2020.

Website: ruthekastner.org

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Transcript and summary of this interview

Interview recorded October 21, 2023.

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump

00:04:03 - The Importance of Physical Fitness and Yoga

00:08:00 - Discovering the Transactional Interpretation

00:11:58 - The Connection between Consciousness and Spirituality

00:16:28 - The Yin-Yang Nature of Quantum Theory

00:21:50 - The Reality of Quantum Possibilities

00:26:08 - The Blind Men and the Elephant

00:29:38 - The Measurement Problem and Consciousness

00:36:21 - The Orthodox Position on Dark Matter and Dark Energy

00:41:10 - Events and the Illusion of Space-Time

00:44:08 - The Analogy of Enlightenment and the Game of Life

00:47:10 - The Shimmering Intelligence in Every Particle of Creation

00:53:15 - Pathology and the Neglect of Yin

00:55:34 - The Taboo of Passivity and Eastern Wisdom

00:58:00 - The Debate on Free Will

01:00:39 - The Ad hoc Nature of the Feynman Propagator

01:01:21 - The Flatland Analogy

01:04:48 - Mr. Flatland and the Sphere

01:08:16 - The Controversy Surrounding the Term "Consciousness"

01:11:50 - Volition and Symmetry Breaking in Nature

01:15:01 - The Relationality of Charged Particles

01:18:22 - Understanding outcomes in the transactional picture

01:21:52 - Mastery over the Laws of Nature

01:24:56 - The Holographic Principle and its Significance

01:29:23 - Quantum Theory and the Physical World

01:33:25 - The Power and Limitations of Physical Science

01:43:30 - The Interconnectedness of String Theory

01:49:12 - The Flow of Time and Phenomena

01:54:24 - The Cosmos: Conscious Being or Product of Chance and Necessity