One hundred years after its birth, quantum mechanics remains one of the most powerful and successful theories in all of science. From quantum computing to precision sensors, its technological impact is undeniable – and one reason why 2025 is being celebrated as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
Yet as we celebrate these achievements, we should still reflect on what quantum mechanics reveals about the world itself. What, for example, does this formalism actually tell us about the nature of reality? Do quantum systems have definite properties before we measure them? Do our observations create reality, or merely reveal it?
These are not just abstract, philosophical questions. Having a clear understanding of what quantum theory is all about is essential to its long-term coherence and its capacity to integrate with the rest of physics. Unfortunately, there is no scientific consensus on these issues, which continue to provoke debate in the research community.
To read more, click here.