In quantum copying and merging, every “branch” operation preserves the total measure of the original branch,
Maybe branch quantum operations don’t make new copies, but represent already existing but identical copies “becoming” no longer identical?
In the computer program analogy: instead of having one program at time t and n slightly different versions at time t+1, start out with n copies already existing (but identical) at time t, and have each one change in the branching. If you expect a t+2, you need to start with at least n^2 copies.
(That may mean a lot more copies of everything than would otherwise be expected even under many worlds, but even if it’s enough to give this diabolical monster bed-wetting nightmares, by the Occam’s razor that works for predicting physical laws, that’s absolutely fine).
Come to think of it… if this interpretation isn’t true, or for that matter, even if this is true but it isn’t true that identical copies get equal experience measure, then wouldn’t we be vastly likely to be experiencing the last instant of experienceable existence in the Universe, because that’s where the vast majority of distinct observers would be? Omega-point simulation hypothesis anyone? :-)
Maybe branch quantum operations don’t make new copies, but represent already existing but identical copies “becoming” no longer identical?
In the computer program analogy: instead of having one program at time t and n slightly different versions at time t+1, start out with n copies already existing (but identical) at time t, and have each one change in the branching. If you expect a t+2, you need to start with at least n^2 copies.
(That may mean a lot more copies of everything than would otherwise be expected even under many worlds, but even if it’s enough to give this diabolical monster bed-wetting nightmares, by the Occam’s razor that works for predicting physical laws, that’s absolutely fine).
Come to think of it… if this interpretation isn’t true, or for that matter, even if this is true but it isn’t true that identical copies get equal experience measure, then wouldn’t we be vastly likely to be experiencing the last instant of experienceable existence in the Universe, because that’s where the vast majority of distinct observers would be? Omega-point simulation hypothesis anyone? :-)