Ruth E. Kastner earned her M.S. in Physics and Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Maryland. Since that time, she has taught widely and conducted research in Foundations of Physics, particularly in interpretations of quantum theory. She was one of three winners of the 2021 Alumni Research Award at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is the author of 3 books: The Transactional Interpretation of Quantum Theory: The Reality of Possibility (Cambridge University Press, 2012; 2nd edition just published, 2022), Understanding Our Unseen Reality: Solving Quantum Riddles (Imperial College Press, 2015); and Adventures In Quantumland: Exploring Our Unseen Reality (World Scientific, 2019). She has presented talks and interviews throughout the world and in video recordings on the interpretational challenges of quantum theory, and has a blog at transactionalinterpretation.org. She is also a dedicated yoga practitioner and received her 200-Hour Yoga Alliance Instructor Certification in February, 2020.
Website: ruthekastner.org
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Transcript and summary of this interview
Interview recorded October 21, 2023.
Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.
YouTube Video Chapters:
- 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
- 00:04:03 – The Importance of Physical Fitness and Yoga
- 00:08:00 – Discovering the Transactional Interpretation
- 00:11:58 – The Connection between Consciousness and Spirituality
- 00:16:28 – The Yin-Yang Nature of Quantum Theory
- 00:21:50 – The Reality of Quantum Possibilities
- 00:26:08 – The Blind Men and the Elephant
- 00:29:38 – The Measurement Problem and Consciousness
- 00:36:21 – The Orthodox Position on Dark Matter and Dark Energy
- 00:41:10 – Events and the Illusion of Space-Time
- 00:44:08 – The Analogy of Enlightenment and the Game of Life
- 00:47:10 – The Shimmering Intelligence in Every Particle of Creation
- 00:53:15 – Pathology and the Neglect of Yin
- 00:55:34 – The Taboo of Passivity and Eastern Wisdom
- 00:58:00 – The Debate on Free Will
- 01:00:39 – The Ad hoc Nature of the Feynman Propagator
- 01:01:21 – The Flatland Analogy
- 01:04:48 – Mr. Flatland and the Sphere
- 01:08:16 – The Controversy Surrounding the Term “Consciousness”
- 01:11:50 – Volition and Symmetry Breaking in Nature
- 01:15:01 – The Relationality of Charged Particles
- 01:18:22 – Understanding outcomes in the transactional picture
- 01:21:52 – Mastery over the Laws of Nature
- 01:24:56 – The Holographic Principle and its Significance
- 01:29:23 – Quantum Theory and the Physical World
- 01:33:25 – The Power and Limitations of Physical Science
- 01:43:30 – The Interconnectedness of String Theory
- 01:49:12 – The Flow of Time and Phenomena
- 01:54:24 – The Cosmos: Conscious Being or Product of Chance and Necessity
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