Talk:Quantum entanglement/Archive 8

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Quantum entanglement lead

Hi, pretty surprised to see your revert (http://en.m.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Quantum_entanglement&diff=prev&oldid=1253878041) of my edit (http://en.m.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Quantum_entanglement&diff=prev&oldid=1253686245).

Not going to waste time disputing it, just want to let you know that one of the hallmarks of a high-quality reference text, textbook, encyclopedic article etc.– even one concentrating on a highly special subject – is providing a broad enough outlook in introduction.

As an occasional reader of Wikipedia articles, I would definitely prefer the version I have suggested; furthermore, I would appreciate reading a lead which doesn't mislead a reader by dropping links to closely related subjects as in this case, in *any* article.

And as a peer reviewer and an editor of manuscripts and proceedings since 1990s, I can tell you that an author who'd send me a paper containing the statement which I have corrected, would see his paper returned with the recommendation to avoid such blunders in future for his own sake. 188.66.35.87 (talk) 18:58, 28 October 2024 (UTC)

I find rather misleading your suggestion that there is a well-defined trio that form the core of the quantum-classical disparity: quantum entanglement, uncertainty principle and wave–particle duality. Such a list is merely a matter of taste. Tercer (talk) 21:07, 28 October 2024 (UTC)

Didn't plan to get back to this, but the *text* of my edit made no claims or assertions of any well-defined trios, I just linked to WPD, UP and DSE, so please refrain from putting in my mouth what I didn't say in the article text. But when it comes to current wording, which calls QE "a primary feature of quantum mechanics" and puts it "at the heart of disparity..." – now that is not only not the best wording for a WP article, but misleading indeed, as generally accepted views of QM do not assign to QE some special or unique role within QM, hence my edit.

Do you have access to classical texts on QM (Feynman's lectures, writings of Bohr), or at least to recognised and widely used graduate-level textbooks (Sakurai, Shankar etc.)? The reason why I'm asking is because it appears you are not very familiar with the subject if you *really* believe that current wording praising the role of QE is good and find my correction misleading. But the fact is, you won't find a QM textbook introducing QE in the same fashion as in the lead, viz. that it's the "primary feature..." simply because it's not – you'd see a chapter dedicated to it at best, along with chapters on other phenomena (and to the best of my memory, not even a dedicated chapter in the textbooks I mentioned above).

And as far as some of the brightest minds are concerned, you won't see them assigning special or central role to QE within QM either: it's well known that Bohr assigned high importance to complementarity principle, and Feynman to WPD; he is quoted as saying ‘a phenomenon which is impossible... to explain in any classical way, and which has in it the heart of quantum mechanics. In reality, it contains the only mystery [of quantum mechanics].’ (quoting from https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms6814).

Is that wording, hyping the role of QE, by chance, a quotation from the NYT article? It appears to be behind a paywall, so I can't even check it myself without subscribing or buying it, which I don't plan to do. In general, I would advise against using sources like New York Times as supporting citations in articles like this one. Popular articles tend to be a lightweight reading, are rarely rigorous in academic sense, often written in sensationalistic style, and WP guidelines might in fact not recommend it too (is that correct? I'm not intimately familiar with all of them).

So I would suggest not only fixing current wording, rewriting it in less emotional style and bringing it in line with common knowledge, which doesn't place QE in some special position as far as the disparity of classical and quantum mechanics is concerned, but also replacing the paywalled NYT article with a proper source in line with WP guidelines, or just removing it (statements which are common knowledge don't require a citation).

Do you agree? 217.118.83.166 (talk) 18:36, 29 October 2024 (UTC)

The article claims it's a primary feature, not the primary feature. Tercer (talk) 18:44, 29 October 2024 (UTC)

Nitpicking like that is not an example of constructive communication, especially considering that you see precise quotation from the article at the start of my message and that I spent time explaining to you things which should be well-known to an experienced editor, as well as to someone who is competent to contribute to articles on QM. But all right, I'll take that as a "yes" to my last question and will fix the sentence.

More importantly, do you realise that such conduct as yours (unfounded reverting, manipulating quotations, strange nitpicking) is very effective at only one thing: completely killing motivation in any further contribution to this article, as well as any other, where you are active in the same fashion? A few days ago I considered in earnest allocating some time to taking a closer look at several articles on QM to fix inaccuracies or add some missing content, but seeing how it goes, I reviewed my plans. I have better things to do with my time, than seeing a strange revert and then wasting time explaining the obvious.

And although I'm not highly familiar at all with WP's numerous guidelines, there is an essay and a policy which I consider rather important, in particular for the growth of the number of contributors to WP, and would highly recommend you to adhere to, as long as you don't aim to discourage and demotivate people willing to contribute something: WP:ROWN and WP:OWN. 188.66.32.76 (talk) 20:07, 30 October 2024 (UTC)

It is not nitpicking, it is the main point. You are complaining that the article claims entanglement is the only core distinguishing feature of quantum mechanics, but it does no such thing. Tercer (talk) 22:38, 30 October 2024 (UTC)

No need to misrepresent again what I say, the reasons why I suggest the rewrite are described in detail in my 2nd message. Besides, I asked you clearly if you agree with the suggestion and expected as clear an answer from you, as well as any valid arguments, references to WP guidelines and RS in support of your opinion, but you presented none of that.

So no clear answer, no arguments, but instead nit-picking and another revert from you. Shall we ask for third opinion then?

Request for third opinion

Please choose the version which you consider more appropriate, or feel free to suggest your own. Argumentation of the disputing parties is above. Also please comment whether the paywalled NYT article used for unclear purpose should be kept or removed. Any other comments regarding the dispute are also welcome.

Current version:

The topic of quantum entanglement is at the heart of the disparity between classical and quantum physics: entanglement is a primary feature of quantum mechanics not present in classical mechanics.

Suggested rewrite, which reflects that generally accepted views of quantum mechanics do not assign to quantum entanglement central or unique role, as far as disparity of quantum mechanics and classical physics is concerned, uses more encyclopedic language, and removes paywalled NYT article (purpose of the source completely unclear and no explanation provided by the opponent; NYT is a very strange choice of source to cite in the article on quantum entanglement (WP:V, WP:RS)):

Along with the uncertainty principle and wave–particle duality demonstrable in the double-slit experiment, quantum entanglement is one of phenomena of quantum mechanics, not present in classical physics. 217.118.83.168 (talk) 19:22, 31 October 2024 (UTC)

I think the current version is adequate. Listing other phenomena that are also non-classical just makes the sentence longer without bringing any real clarity. The current version says a primary feature, not the primary feature (or the quintessential feature, etc.). The current version simply does not say that entanglement is the only non-classical feature of quantum mechanics.

I would agree with removing the New York Times article, on the general principle that pop science is not suitable reference material when it comes to quantum physics. Replace it with a textbook, or just cut it entirely, since that paragraph is there to summarize what comes later. The fact that the intro is intended to be a summary of the main article also argues against mentioning wave-particle duality or the uncertainty principle there, because the latter is barely mentioned and the former doesn't appear at all. XOR'easter (talk) 22:11, 31 October 2024 (UTC)

I broadly agree with XOR'easter. I do find that Overbye is one of the best pop-sci writers but there are many alternative sources. Johnjbarton (talk) 17:10, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

XOR'easter, thanks for responding to the invitation and a thoughtful reply. Some very good points there, and I fully see your reasoning, but I also want to make two more comments.

Firstly, after spending some time with WP guidelines, "a primary feature" looks to me as a borderline case, and "at the heart of disparity" a case falling directly under MOS:PUFFERY. Secondly, as I mentioned before, quantum entanglement is never introduced, or referred to, as "a primary feature of quantum mechanics" in professional literature on QM (classical texts, widely used grad-level textbooks, etc.); just one of phenomena, not more primary than others. I think it's obvious that in general WP articles should stick firmly to established or universally adopted characterisation and terminology and avoid inventing something different (there could well be relevant guideline, pointer to which is highly appreciated).

So with all due respect, I really fail to see why this puffery, explicitly not recommended in the guidelines, should be kept. As for mentioning UP and WPD – as I said before, as a *reader*, I would definitely prefer a lead of any article to give me a more or less broad perspective, preferably with links to "same-rank" phenomena as long as they are few, as in this case, and my suggestion is naturally aligned with that preference. But I fully see your reasoning too, and if you are convinced that omitting them is a better choice than including from the viewpoint of offering readers a better source of knowledge (the main goal to keep in mind when evaluating alternatives), then so be it.

So, how about "Quantum entanglement is one of phenomena of quantum mechanics, not present in classical physics." then?

I suggest that we converge on a variant which fully conforms to WP guidelines (feel free to offer your own formulation), thus laying good groundwork for cleaning up the rest of the article to very high standards and extending it with essential content, and do it. That's a serious undertaking, and I would definitely appreciate some company and division of work and responsibilities, rather than do everything single-handedly. Thanks again for the highly constructive input here. 188.66.35.184 (talk) 20:56, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

Contrary to your claim: eg Horodecki et al say "In this way entanglement is that feature of quantum formalism which makes it impossible to simulate quantum correlations within any classical formalism." I think your view unnecessarily narrow. Imagine the "heart of the disparity" being large and accommodating oh so many disparities that entanglement makes the cut. Imagine 10 primary differences and entanglement makes the cut. There is no QM without entanglement. We're not deceiving readers.

By the I think you are focusing on the wrong end of the problem. Per WP:LEAD the intro is a summary so improve the article before getting too wrapped up in the intro. Johnjbarton (talk) 21:20, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

The article already gives a rather famous quote from Schrödinger: "I would not call [entanglement] one but rather the characteristic trait of quantum mechanics, the one that enforces its entire departure from classical lines of thought." XOR'easter (talk) 17:32, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

Johnjbarton, MOS:PUFFERY has nothing to do with my views, it's one of the guidelines to follow when contributing content, and any content, which doesn't conform to this, or any other, guideline is not a subject of discussion, it's a subject to fix on sight – simple as that. Regarding your example, keep in mind there are rules and there are exceptions.

XOR'easter: Is it natural to expect some other characterisation from the one who essentially introduced the term and wrote a paper on it (not to mention that certain WP guidelines can cover cases like this)? And since there are no more comments to my last message, do I get it right that there is no more disagreement with the suggested rewrite, and that version is fine with you? 188.66.32.88 (talk) 20:26, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

Major clean-up (+ GA) effort

How many would be willing to undertake a proper clean-up of this article (rewriting poorly written portions, adding essential content, reviewing bibliography, replacing wikipuffery and other bad style with proper encyclopedic language etc.), and if all goes well, aim for acquiring GA status? That's a huge undertaking for a single person, but a manageable task for a competent team, working towards that goal. 188.66.32.88 (talk) 20:30, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

While I appreciate your enthusiasm, in my experience team efforts on Wikipedia take the form of combat not cooperation. For this article in particular I think you will need exceptionally strong sources and a pragmatic mindset to avoid getting caught up in long discussions over one sentence at a time. I suggest you start with one section rather than an overhaul to begin. Johnjbarton (talk) 21:29, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

I would also encourage you to register for a named user account. Every edit by an IP addr user is suspect. I suppose most editors hesitate to revert edits by named editors especially if they have seen the name before, but don't hesitate for IP users. Johnjbarton (talk) 01:25, 3 November 2024 (UTC)