Macroscopic realism, as introduced by Leggett and Garg, is the world view in which properties of macroscopic systems exist independent of and are not influenced by measurement. Motivated by classical physical laws such as Newtonian mechanics or Maxwell's electrodynamics, in this work we add the restrictive postulate that the observables of macroscopic objects are evolved continuously through space and time. Quantum theory violates both macroscopic realism and the continuity assumption. While decoherence or collapse models (e.g. due to a universal noise background or gravitational self energy) can restore macroscopic realism, we show that a continuous spatiotemporal description does not become possible in general. This shines new light on the question how the classical world arises out of the quantum realm.Macroscopic realism, as introduced by Leggett and Garg, is the world view in which properties of macroscopic systems exist independent of and are not influenced by measurement. Motivated by classical physical laws such as Newtonian mechanics or Maxwell's electrodynamics, in this work we add the restrictive postulate that the observables of macroscopic objects are evolved continuously through space and time. Quantum theory violates both macroscopic realism and the continuity assumption. While decoherence or collapse models (e.g. due to a universal noise background or gravitational self energy) can restore macroscopic realism, we show that a continuous spatiotemporal description does not become possible in general. This shines new light on the question how the classical world arises out of the quantum realm.

arXiv:0906.4465Jun 24, 20093 citations

Continual Observations in Quantum Mechanics

Alberto Barchielli, L. Lanz, Giovanni Maria Prosperi

NATO ASI series. Series B : PhysicsJan 1, 19853 citations

Causal–Continuity Stabilization Theory (CCST): Thermodynamic Stability and Branch-Internal Descriptive Continuity in Everettian Dynamics

Kang, Tae Hyuk

Causal–Continuity Stabilization Theory (CCST): Thermodynamic Stability and Branch-Internal Descriptive Continuity in Everettian Dynamics. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/D6JN7. Causal–Continuity Stabilization Theory (CCST) is an interpretive framework that addresses the persistence of macroscopic descriptive continuity within fully unitary Everettian quantum mechanics. Rather than invoking ontological selection, probabilistic collapse, or inter-branch transition, CCST reframes continuity as a stability property of a finite physical substrate subject to irreversible thermodynamic and dynamical constraints. The theory introduces Thermodynamic Strain as a path-dependent measure of cumulative irreversible burden required to maintain coherent macroscopic descriptive structure across decoherence and branching. CCST remains fully compatible with standard quantum mechanics and preserves the physical reality of all branches, while providing an explicit stability-based criterion for when continuous macroscopic description remains physically well posed.Causal–Continuity Stabilization Theory (CCST): Thermodynamic Stability and Branch-Internal Descriptive Continuity in Everettian Dynamics. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/D6JN7. Causal–Continuity Stabilization Theory (CCST) is an interpretive framework that addresses the persistence of macroscopic descriptive continuity within fully unitary Everettian quantum mechanics. Rather than invoking ontological selection, probabilistic collapse, or inter-branch transition, CCST reframes continuity as a stability property of a finite physical substrate subject to irreversible thermodynamic and dynamical constraints. The theory introduces Thermodynamic Strain as a path-dependent measure of cumulative irreversible burden required to maintain coherent macroscopic descriptive structure across decoherence and branching. CCST remains fully compatible with standard quantum mechanics and preserves the physical reality of all branches, while providing an explicit stability-based criterion for when continuous macroscopic description remains physically well posed.

Jan 1, 20250 citations

Theory of the Finite Resolution Observer: Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity as Aliasing and Latency Artifacts of Discrete Voxel Rewriting

Kapitanov Fedor

Ontological Resolution Theory (ORT) — Paper J (v1.0) This paper presents a rigorous ontological model in which physical reality is a discrete 4D Face-Centered Cubic (FCC) lattice (k=12) governed by deterministic voxel state rewriting. By discarding the paradigm of continuous spacetime and fundamental differential equations, we mathematically demonstrate that the pillars of modern physics are macroscopic interface illusions: The Absence of Motion: Physical dynamics is an illusion arising from frame comparison. Nothing moves; voxel states simply rewrite from one Tick to the next. Quantum Mechanics as Aliasing: A macroscopic observer, constrained to a 4-bit interface, samples only ~3% of voxel information per Tick. Superposition is strictly redefined as a pending rewrite buffer. The wave function is a time-averaged probability of defect presence, and measurement is buffer commitment. Gravity as Rewrite Latency: Gravity is not spacetime curvature, but computational delay. When voxel load approaches its 133-bit capacity, the rewrite rate drops, manifesting to external observers as time dilation. The Schwarzschild radius ( $R_S = 2M$ ) is derived exactly from the channel saturation condition. Tensors as Macroscopic Statistics: The metric tensor and the Einstein field equations ( $G_{\mu\nu} = 8\pi T_{\mu\nu}$ ) are not fundamental laws. They are thermodynamic limits—continuous statistical approximations of discrete network routing delays over $\sim 10^{60}$ voxels. This framework eliminates the QM-GR schism by proving both theories are effective descriptions of a single discrete substrate operating at different load regimes (low-load for QM, high-load for GR). The paper includes exact numerical verifications (>99% accuracy for standard model parameters derived from pure geometry) and strict falsification criteria.Ontological Resolution Theory (ORT) — Paper J (v1.0) This paper presents a rigorous ontological model in which physical reality is a discrete 4D Face-Centered Cubic (FCC) lattice (k=12) governed by deterministic voxel state rewriting. By discarding the paradigm of continuous spacetime and fundamental differential equations, we mathematically demonstrate that the pillars of modern physics are macroscopic interface illusions: The Absence of Motion: Physical dynamics is an illusion arising from frame comparison. Nothing moves; voxel states simply rewrite from one Tick to the next. Quantum Mechanics as Aliasing: A macroscopic observer, constrained to a 4-bit interface, samples only ~3% of voxel information per Tick. Superposition is strictly redefined as a pending rewrite buffer. The wave function is a time-averaged probability of defect presence, and measurement is buffer commitment. Gravity as Rewrite Latency: Gravity is not spacetime curvature, but computational delay. When voxel load approaches its 133-bit capacity, the rewrite rate drops, manifesting to external observers as time dilation. The Schwarzschild radius ($R_S = 2M$) is derived exactly from the channel saturation condition. Tensors as Macroscopic Statistics: The metric tensor and the Einstein field equations ($G_{\mu\nu} = 8\pi T_{\mu\nu}$) are not fundamental laws. They are thermodynamic limits—continuous statistical approximations of discrete network routing delays over $\sim 10^{60}$ voxels. This framework eliminates the QM-GR schism by proving both theories are effective descriptions of a single discrete substrate operating at different load regimes (low-load for QM, high-load for GR). The paper includes exact numerical verifications (>99% accuracy for standard model parameters derived from pure geometry) and strict falsification criteria.

Feb 24, 20260 citations

R_S = 2M

) is derived exactly from the channel saturation condition. Tensors as Macroscopic Statistics: The metric tensor and the Einstein field equations (

G_{\mu\nu} = 8\pi T_{\mu\nu}

) are not fundamental laws. They are thermodynamic limits—continuous statistical approximations of discrete network routing delays over

\sim 10^{60}

voxels. This framework eliminates the QM-GR schism by proving both theories are effective descriptions of a single discrete substrate operating at different load regimes (low-load for QM, high-load for GR). The paper includes exact numerical verifications (>99% accuracy for standard model parameters derived from pure geometry) and strict falsification criteria.