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There’s No Wave Function? | Jacob Barandes

Curt Jaimungal · interview · Watch on YouTube

Quantum physics

What it is

Physicist Jacob Barandes discusses his view that quantum mechanics can be formulated without wave functions, using a stochastic, probabilistic approach. The long interview covers measurement, the foundations of quantum theory and the history of the field.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN commenters point to it as a credible, clearly explained alternative take on quantum foundations from a Harvard physicist.

  • 2 people recommended it
  • 2 different months
  • 1 strong recommendations
  • first 2024, last 2026

What HN commenters said

  1. “Barandes is excellent at clearly articulating complex ideas in very simple, concise terms.”

    Clear history of QM and Barandes' own formulation.

    ilitirit, 2025-09 · Strong recommendation · in “Quantum Mechanics, Concise Book”

  2. “Jacob Barandes is a professor of physics at Harvard (not a crank).”

    Barandes explains stochastic reformulation of quantum mechanics without wave functions.

    slowmovintarget, 2024-12 · Recommendation · in “The Google Willow Thing”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: wave function, measurement problem, stochastic quantum mechanics, jacob barandes, interpretations of quantum mechanics

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