Quantum (plural quanta): a discrete quantity of energy proportional in magnitude to the frequency of the radiation it represents; an analogous discrete amount of any other physical quantity, such as momentum or electric charge.
Quale (plural qualia): a quality or property as perceived or experienced by a person.
Welcome to my blog, Quanta and Qualia. As the tagline says, it’s about things and perceptions, in the broadest senses. That covers physics, neuroscience, literature, theatre, politics, meditation, experiences and pretty much everything else. Depending on whether you’re a Platonist or moral realist, it might or might not cover mathematics or ethics. I’m probably going to write about them anyway.
The tagline also alludes to the elusive and intriguing connection between the material world and consciousness. I plan to touch on that too from time to time.
I work in the Centre for Quantum Information and Foundations, a research group in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics. I’m also honoured to be a Distinguished Visiting Research Chair at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.
Adrian Kent
