This movie is a perfect example of what Nobel Prize Winner Murray Gell-Mann calls “Quantum Flapdoodle”, i.e. an attempt to spend Quantum Theory to serve a metaphysical, even mystical, thought of the world. This is often the result of confusing Quantum Theory with the interpretation of Quantum Theory. The premise of the movie seems to be to show that we form our contain reality through the observation of it. What follows is a lengthy pseudo-scientific explanation of specific elements of Quantum Theory placed in a light that supports a distorted mystical idea.

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One of the first and most glaringly aggravating points about this movie is the editing. Many of the physicists in this movie were filmed for hours explaining Quantum Theory and the mechanics slack it, but only recall pieces of the footage were weak out of context to acquire it seem as if these experts were supporting a mystical world concept, when in fact they almost universally scoff at it. Coupled with that is the fact that many of these “experts” actually have no physics credentials, Quantum or otherwise.

But what about the science, you ask. Unfortunately, the science in this movie is abysmal. First, as mentioned before, they confuse the theory with the interpretation. This is simply because they advocate the “observation is reality” notion, which isn’t section of the theory. For a theory to be considered science it must be disprovable. Observation creating reality cannot be disproven simply because it would require an observer to validate, which would then invalidate the “theory”. So from the beginning we have a unpleasant basis for science.

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Following that, the movie then cites its “proof”, which is also scientifically invalid. The first was the current myth that when Columbus arrived in North America that the natives could leer “the ripples in the water” but couldn’t eye the ships. Nowhere in the movie does it position that this is a record… its actually presented as literal fact (though I should price it isn’t implicitly stated in the film that this is a fact, it is certainly implied) . This example fails to believe up to scientific standards for various reasons. First, its hearsay. There aren’t any written records or verifiable evidence supporting the sage. Its a record, pure and simple, and as such proves nothing. Second, it fails entertain the more logical reasons, such as the ripples appearing in the water before the ships had actually arrived, a distinctly logical conclusion.

The second example illustrated the “Maharisi Finish”. For those peculiar with the experiment, in 1993 four-thousand people practiced trancsendental meditation in an attempt to lower the crime rate in Washington DC. After the “experiment”, the data was analyzed, tweaked and otherwise manipulated to assure, amazingly, that violent crime was down 18% (though the film claims 25) . This was viewed as proof of the power of group meditation and definite thinking. Sadly, this example also fails to satisfy the rigorous criteria of science. First, there was no control group, and as such no arrangement of intelligent what the crime rate would have been without the meditation. This implies that the lowered crime rate could be the result of several, unrelated factors. Also, the crime rate was only 18% lower than what was predicted by analysis of previous criminal trends in the situation. Violent crime increased from the previous year, honest not as great as was expected by experts. Second, the assassinate rate during this time actually increased, so while violent crime as a whole increased less than was predicted, more murders were being commited during this time than were predicted. Thirdly, the panel who reviewed the data created by this experiment were followers of the Maharisi and could not be counted as just, non-biased observers.

The third share of “proof” supplied is Dr. Emoto’s noted Water Tests in which he tapes words to containers of water and freezes them into crystals that, supposedly, design shapely images when nice words like “fancy” and “thank you” are taped to them and ghastly, frightening images when mean words like “I disfavor you” and “I want to ruin you” are veteran. These words were tried in several languages and sometimes images are passe as well. Unfortunately, Dr. Emoto’s fabulous work has never been independently recreated in a scientific setting. In fact, the James Randi Educational Foundation has offered a $1,000,000 prize to Dr. Emoto if his data can pass a double blind test, a prize which he has refused to even attempt to claim.

After this there is a long discussion about cellular peptides and how these are responsible for all observation, emotion and, in essence, reality. This was the only allotment of the movie that had some sound basis in reality and could be backed up with science. It is 100% good that the chemical processes in our brains can vastly achieve how we notion reality, which is the basis of psychiatric pharmocology. The movie then moves on to exercise this as proof of the power of determined thinking, i.e. “Our brains control how we thought reality so we don’t need mind-altering medications to be delighted!” Yay! Except when there’s something obnoxious with our brain and those chemicals are out of balance. I’d like to observe somebody whine Charles Manson that all his insanity could be cured by the power of determined thinking!

The final straw that breaks this movie’s proverbial aid is the inclusion of Ramtha, the 35,000 year customary Atlantian warrior spirit brought to us courtesy of a Tacoma housewife named JZ Knight (his “channel” in Novel Age circles) . In a thick, Hollywood-esque Eastern European accent, Ramtha tells us about the wonders of Quantum Physics and how it is the first science to even reach stop to explaining magic and miracles. Okay… I don’t even know where to commence with this. First of all, if this is a movie about science, why are they including the claims of a Current Age cult leader who can’t be verified one device or another. Also, what are this person’s credentials. If its objective JZ Knight pretending to be some ragged Atlantian, does she have a Quantum Physics background? Second, if she IS some worn Atlantian warrior, what are HIS Quantum Physics credentials (which could be easily verified with a series of Doctorate level tests)?

Of course, her/his authority is never questioned, and there’s a reason. It took a diminutive digging to gain, but the large majority of the people enthusiastic in making this film are followers of Ramtha. When this came to light, I was flabbergasted. The fact that most of the movies views drop true in line with her group’s Novel Age philosophy puts an entirely novel chase on the movie. Suddenly this looks like nothing but one, substantial recruitment allotment for Ramtha.

I gave this movie one star because it does one capable thing: It gets people thinking about Quantum Physics and reality. Some people who peek this movie might be involved to dig deeper into the trusty science and check out John Gribbin’s wonderful series of books about Quantum Physics for the layman. I recommend “In Search of Schrondinger’s Cat” most highly.

As Richard Feynman said, “If you reflect you understand quantum mechanics, you don’t understand quantum mechanics”, and that sums up the major predicament with this movie. It provides a idea of quantum mechanics that is absurdly simple and abysmally unscientific. The beauty of particle physics is magical in and of itself, it doesn’t need to be married to philosophy and Original Age metaphysics to be fantastic.

I humbly submit that truly open-minded persons ought to execute powerful employ of that laudable trait in educating themselves about this movie: the topics it purports to deal with, the manner in which it attempts to recount them, & the possible motives & intentions of its makers. Also assume with an start mind the view that until one has attained an plan of the topics alive to, the unprejudiced thing to do is to reserve one’s judgement, especially effusive unearned praise. And finally, try on for size the precept that it’s elegant to originate out with an commence mind but not quite so desireable to ruin up with one.

Below, for the open-minded, are some suggestions for further reading, grouped by topic. (If the filmmakers had really been very concerned about educating people about these issues, wouldn’t they have leapt to provide this information themselves? )

Overview of the movie:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_the_bleep

Analysis of the movie:

http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/archives/2004/04-10-01.html

http://salon.com/ent/feature/2004/09/16/bleep/index_np.html

http://nthposition.com/whatthebleepdowe.php

Introduction to the examine of quantum mechanics:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_mechanics

Introduction to the variety of interpretations of the formalisms of quantum mechanics:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpretations_of_quantum_mechanics

Followed by ‘Quantum Quackery’ (deals with Amit Goswami) :

http://www.csicop.org/si/9701/quantum-quackery.html

Introduction to issues in the philosophy of science (attempting to understand what science is really all about) :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_science

With respect to the filmmakers’ disingenuous & unethical exercise of David Albert:

http://www.thestranger.com/blog/archives/2006/02/05-11.php#a004212

Information about Masaru Emoto & his dubious claims about water crystals:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masaru_Emoto

More about this Ramtha cult:

http://www.rickross.com/groups/ramtha.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramtha

If you’re really eager in exploring an at least more objective attempt to account for consciousness as having something to do fundamentally with quantum mechnics, peep into Stuart Hameroff’s work:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Hameroff

Film aesthetics, or why this film, aside from its misapprehensions & dishonesties, is an eyesore & annoyance:

See any film by Luis Buñuel or Andrei Tarkovsky or Jan Svankmajer, fair for instance. Or if you particularly like not-too-deep but pleasantly curious philosophical meandering in film, *Waking Life* & I Heart Huckabees* at least present advantageous artistry.
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