The Impossible Event

David C. Reardon

This paper proposes an evidence-based definition for what is “statistically impossible” relative to an appropriate set of domains, including the universe of all quantum events, all possible earthly events, the history of all human events, and a human lifetime. For example, any event which has less than one chance of occurring in the total number of all quantum vibrations in the history of the universe (10120) should, according to this proposed convention, be confidently declared as “statistically impossible.” Moreover, sequences of events that are less likely than the square of all quantum events in the universe (10240) (which is equal to all quantum events in 10120 multiverses) are properly described as “absurdly impossible.”According to this convention, if such a "statistically impossible" event is ever observed then one must conclude either: (A) the observed event is non-random, or (B) the universe of all possible events is larger than previously assumed. This convention is therefore useful for testing a priori assumptions and distinguishing random from non-random events. Also discussed is the need for a new ratio, similar to an effect size calculation, for describing the likelihood of a series of events within a given domain of possible events as either “certain”, “likely”, “possible”, “improbable”, and “impossible.”

David Wick

Melvee George, William Gunn, Jaden McKinlay +5 more

In this talk I’ll introduce indefinite causal order— quantum superposition of ordering of events—and show you how it can be done with photons, the fundamental particle of light. We’ll then explore using this trick to communicate via perfectly noisy channels—which is classically impossible—and to measure rotations with completely noisy probes via a channel that erases all information—again, classically impossible. Questions before, during, and after the talk are highly encouraged.

NAPOLEON CAMUS M. HERMOSO

Vladimir A. Namiot, Д.С. Чернавский

WILLIAM ECKHARDT