Quantum physics is oppressive, according to a feminist scholar, because it promotes binary and absolute differences. This makes it hierarchical and exploitative. As such, it is part of the system that enables oppression.
This is an example of the anti-intellectualism and Stalinism that is plaguing the academic world. Stalinist because it subjects all knowledge and cultureincluding scientific findingsto a political critique. It then seeks to silence and punish scientists, artists, and intellectuals who do not conform to the Marxist, or, in this case, post-Marxist worldview.
But it raises another issue. The scholar contends, in effect, that the structure of natureas physicists have studied itteaches that there are binary differences. For example, positive and negative charges, which she contends encourages people to think in terms of male and female.
She believes that conclusions drawn from nature should be suppressed in the name of social causes.She thinks we should replace quantum physics with what she calls quantum feminisms.
But what if society, culture, and human beings are tied to nature? Maybe nature really has binary differences and this is why society and the human mind also have them. This is part of what classical thinkers mean by natural law, that human social and moral life are not arbitrary or humanly-made constructions; rather, they are connected to nature; that is, to reality.
From Katherine Timpf,Quantum Physics: Oppressive to Marginalized People | National Review:
A feminist scholar has published a paper claiming that quantum physics is oppressive and that we must use quantum feminisms to make the science more intersectional.
In a paper for The Minnesota Review, culture and gender-studies researcher Whitney Stark argues that physics is oppressive because it has separated beings based on their binary and absolute differences a structure that she calls hierarchical and exploitative and the same kind of system is embedded in many structures of classification, making it part of the apparatus that enables oppression.
Stark explains: This structural thinking of individualized separatism with binary and absolute differences as the basis for how the universe works seeped into/poured over/ is embedded in many structures of classification, which understand similarity and difference in the world, imposed in many hierarchical and exploitative organizational structures, whether through gender, life/nonlife, national borders, and so on.
According to Stark, the tendency to categorize in this way particularly hurts marginalized people because it can cause the activist efforts of minority groups to be overshadowed by the efforts of dominant groups
[Keep reading. . .]
Illustration: Propaganda Poster of Joseph Stalin (1941), from the collection of the National Archives UK Marshall Stalin, No restrictions, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20461157
Excerpt from:
Quantum physics is oppressive - Patheos - Patheos (blog)
- The application of three-axis low energy spectroscopy in quantum physics research - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2017]
- Physicists breed Schrdinger's cats to find boundaries of the | Cosmos - Cosmos [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2017]
- Scientists 'BREED' Schrodinger's Cat in massive quantum physics breakthrough - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2017]
- Quantum Physics: Are Entangled Particles Connected Via An Undetected Dimension? - Forbes [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2017]
- It's widely abused as a buzzword. But can quantum mechanics explain how we think? - National Post [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- Quantum Physics and Love are Super Weird and Confusing, but This Play Makes Sense of Them Both - LA Magazine [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- One step closer to the quantum internet by distillation - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- UW Grad Student from Star Valley Earns Quantum Mechanics Fellowship - SweetwaterNOW.com [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2017]
- Solving systems of linear equations with quantum mechanics - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2017]
- Quantum Computing Might Be Here Sooner Than You Think ... - Bloomberg [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2017]
- Quantum Physics News - Phys.org - News and Articles on ... [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2017]
- Chinese satellite breaks a quantum physics record, beams entangled photons from space to Earth - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2017]
- Popular Quantum Physics Books - Goodreads [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2017]
- Cybersecurity Attacks Are a Global Threat. Chinese Scientists Have the Answer: Quantum Mechanics - Newsweek [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2017]
- A quantum step to a great wall for encryption - The Hindu [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2017]
- What Is Quantum Mechanics? - livescience.com [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2017]
- Physicists Demonstrate Record Breaking Long-Distance Quantum Entanglement in Space - Futurism [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2017]
- Viewpoint: A Roadmap for a Scalable Topological Quantum Computer - Physics [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- How Schrdinger's Cat Helps Explain the New Findings About the Quantum Zeno Effect - Futurism [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- BMW and Volkswagen Try to Beat Apple and Google at Their Own Game - New York Times [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2017]
- How quantum physics could revolutionize casinos and betting if you can understand it - Casinopedia [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2017]
- Quantum thermometer or optical refrigerator? - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2017]
- Physicists settle debate over how exotic quantum particles form - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2017]
- In 1928, One Physicist Accidentally Predicted Antimatter - Popular Mechanics [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2017]
- Atomic imperfections move quantum communication network closer ... - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 24th, 2017]
- DOE Launches Chicago Quantum Exchange - HPCwire (blog) [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2017]
- Google to Achieve "Supremacy" in Quantum Computing by the End of 2017 - Big Think [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2017]
- Physicists make quantum leap in understanding life's nanoscale ... - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2017]
- Berkeley Lab Intern Finds Her Way in Particle Physics - Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2017]
- Payments Innovation - A Quantum World Of Payments - Finextra (blog) [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2017]
- Why can't quantum theory and relativity get along? - Brantford Expositor [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2017]
- How quantum trickery can scramble cause and effect - Nature.com [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2017]
- Telecommunications, Meet Quantum Physics - Electronics360 [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2017]
- Stephen Colbert Gets a Lesson on Quantum Physics from Brian ... - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2017]
- Quantum physics for babies a different bedtime story - CBC.ca [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2017]
- How quantum mechanics can change computing - San Francisco ... - San Francisco Chronicle [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2017]
- Physicists Use Lasers to Set Up First Underwater Quantum Communications Link - Gizmodo [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2017]
- Notable Quotes on Quantum Physics Quantum Enigma [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2018] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2018]
- Nothing Is Solid & Everything Is Energy Scientists Explain The World ... [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2018] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2018]
- The World Of Quantum Physics: EVERYTHING Is Energy - In5D ... [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2018] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2018]
- Nothing Is Solid & Everything Is Energy Scientists ... [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2018] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2018]
- Black Holes Bolster Case For Quantum Physics' Spooky Action ... [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2018] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2018]
- Physics4Kids.com: Modern Physics: Quantum Mechanics [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2018] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2018]
- Quantum Theory - Full Documentary HD [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2018] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2018]
- Quantum mind - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2019] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2019]
- What is quantum theory? - Definition from WhatIs.com [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2019] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2019]
- The Ultimate Mystery? Consciousness May Exist in the Absence of Matter (Weekend Feature) - The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- Faculty Opening, Quantum Information and Condensed Matter Experiment - Physics [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- Become the physicists the world needs with the help of a physics degree - Study International News [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- Imec and NUS working on chip-based quantum cryptography - Optics.org [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- Strong LightMatter Coupling in Molecular and Material Engineering - Advanced Science News [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- The key to bigger quantum computers could be to build them like Legos - MIT Technology Review [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- Australian universities are accused of trading free speech for cash - The Economist [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- APS Physics Career Center - Physics [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- Assistant Professor of Physics, Employment - Physics [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- A new approach to quantum gravity - Tech Explorist [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- A Huge Experiment Has 'Weighed' the Tiny Neutrino, a Particle That Passes Right Through Matter - Gizmodo [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- Many Worlds, But Too Much Metaphor - Forbes [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- Iran to open 1st quantum physics lab in a year: AEOI head - Mehr News Agency - English Version [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- Quantum Computing Breakthrough: New Detection Tool Uncovers Noise That Can Kill Qubits - SciTechDaily [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- A quantum computing startup that spun out of a Harvard lab just came out of stealth mode with $2.7 million in seed funding from investors like Samsung... [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- Important Quantum Algorithm May Be a Property of Nature - Technology Networks [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- A New Perspective On Grover's Search Algorithm -- Quantum Physics & DNA - Analytics India Magazine [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- Iran to open first quantum physics lab in a year: AEOI head - Quantaneo, the Quantum Computing Source [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- Sean Carroll: Universe a 'tiny sliver' of all there is - PBS NewsHour [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- IBM cuts ribbon on quantum computing centre wherein a 53-qubit monster lurks - The Register [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- In 'Something Deeply Hidden,' Sean Carroll Argues There Are Infinite Copies Of You - NPR [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- Physicists race to develop room-temperature quantum chips - The Next Web [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- This One Experiment Reveals More About Reality Than Any Quantum Interpretation Ever Will - Forbes [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2019]
- Our world is in need of the Mahatmas teachings: Dalai Lama - Livemint [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2019]
- Quantum-inspired Beckman Institute celebration will be anything but small - Central Illinois Buzz [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2019]
- Is It a Wave or a Particle? It's Both, Sort Of. - Space.com [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2019]
- Princeton announces initiative to propel innovations in quantum science and technology - Quantaneo, the Quantum Computing Source [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2019]
- Precision physics with 'tabletop' experiments - Stanford University News [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2019]
- Andrea Young uncovers the strange physics of 2-D materials - Science News [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2019]
- A Scientific Explainer of What Terrence Howard Was Talking About at the Emmys - VICE [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2019]
- China's Silicon Valley aims to become the country's top research center - Abacus [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2019]
- New Quantum-Mechanical Dissipation Mechanism Observed for the First Time - SciTechDaily [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2019]
- Physicists have found quasiparticles that mimic hypothetical dark matter axions - Science News [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2019]
- The Power of Wrong Answers in Science Education - WIRED [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2019]