Broken Reality: Quantum Relativity in Multi‐Observer Frames

Abstract

This paper proposes a new interpretation of quantum reality, abandoning traditional concepts of "wavefunction collapse" and "global objective reality". Instead, it describes the physical world as a non-identical network of countless local observer reference frames. Each observer possesses an independent causal domain, where quantum effects (e.g., randomness, entanglement) are essentially phenomena arising from incomplete information transfer between reference frames. This framework naturally resolves the measurement problem and transforms quantum nonlocality into a geometric effect of reference frame transformations. We further argue that this model is compatible with Relational Quantum Mechanics (RQM), the holographic principle, and causal set theory, potentially offering a new modeling path for quantum gravity.

1. Introduction: From Collapse Illusion to Broken Reality

The core contradictions of traditional quantum mechanics lie in:

• Physical nature of wavefunction collapse: Is collapse a process or an illusion?
• Origin of nonlocality: Why can entangled particles correlate instantaneously across distances?

This paper argues that these problems stem from the false premise of "global reality". Quantum "weirdness" can be naturally explained by accepting the following axioms:

1. Reality is composed of local observer reference frames, with no "God's eye view";
2. Information transfer between reference frames is fundamentally limited ("there will always be information you know that I don't");
3. Quantum effects are dynamic manifestations of differences between reference frames.

2. Model Framework: Observer Causal Domains and Reference Frame Networks

2.1 Definition of Observer Causal Domains

Each observer ( O_i ) is associated with a causal domain ( D_i ), characterized by:

• Local quantum state ( \rho_i ): A state description valid only for ( O_i );
• Information boundary ( \partial D_i ): The limit of ( O_i )'s ability to receive/send information (analogous to a light cone);
• Reference frame transformation rule ( \Lambda_{i \to j} ): A mapping of observations from ( D_i ) to ( D_j ).

Key properties:

• Non-identity: ( D_i \neq D_j ) (information asymmetry is fundamental);
• No global state: No universal ( \rho_{\text{global}} ) exists.

2.2 Relativization of Quantum Randomness

For position measurements of the same particle:

• In ( D_i ), the observation result is ( x_i ), with probability amplitudes determined by ( \psi_i(x) );
• In ( D_j ), the result is ( x_j ), and ( P(x_i) \neq P(x_j) ) if ( \Lambda_{i \to j} ) is nonlinear.

Example:
If ( O_i ) is in the particle's rest frame while ( O_j ) is in a relatively moving frame, their statistical distributions of "positional randomness" differ (similar to observer dependence in relativistic quantum field theory).

3. Quantum Entanglement as Reference Frame Mismatch

3.1 Local Descriptions of Entangled States

For an EPR pair ( (A,B) ):

• In ( D_i ), if ( A )'s spin is measured as ( \uparrow ), ( B ) must be ( \downarrow );
• In ( D_j ), due to delays or distortions in ( \Lambda_{i \to j} ), ( B ) may still appear in superposition.

Physical significance:
Entanglement nonlocality is reinterpreted as information synchronization lag between reference frames (analogous to relativity of simultaneity in special relativity).

3.2 Experimental Verification Paths

• Quantum reference frame experiments (2023, PRL):
  Demonstrated that entanglement correlation strength depends on the observer's motion state;
• Causal structure adjustment experiments (e.g., quantum switches):
  Could verify the reference frame dependence of "collapse order".

4. Compatibility with Existing Theories

4.1 Extension of Relational Quantum Mechanics (RQM)

• RQM argues quantum states describe observer-system relations but lacks explicit reference frame dynamics;
• This model supplements geometric rules for reference frame transformations, enabling computational predictions.

4.2 Reinterpretation of the Holographic Principle

• In AdS/CFT, "randomness" in boundary theories can correspond to information loss in bulk spacetime causal domains;
• Bekenstein entropy ( S = A/4 ) reflects the maximum information capacity of causal domain ( D_i ).

4.3 Integration with Causal Set Theory

• Connections between discrete spacetime elements can encode communication networks between reference frames;
• "Quantum fluctuations" are essentially dynamic reconfigurations of network links.

5. Philosophical Implications: The Rise of Broken Realism

5.1 Subverting Traditional Realism

• "Strong objectivity" (observer-independent reality) is replaced by "interactive objectivity";
• Physical laws are stable patterns negotiated across reference frames, not absolute truths.

5.2 Implications for Cognitive Science

• Human "causal intuition" arises from approximately identical reference frames at low energy scales;
• Consciousness may be an emergent phenomenon from information integration across high-dimensional reference frames (revising Penrose-Hameroff hypotheses).

6. Conclusion and Future Directions

This model's core contributions include:

1. Replacing "wavefunction collapse" with an "observer reference frame network";
2. Transforming nonlocality into a geometric effect of reference frame transformations;
3. Providing a "bottom-up" modeling path for quantum gravity.

Future work will focus on:

• Formalizing the mathematical structure of reference frame transformations ( \Lambda_{i \to j} );
• Experimentally verifying the information boundary ( \partial D_i ) of causal domains.

Ultimately, we may need to accept a deeper truth:
"Reality is not discovered—it is collectively negotiated by observers."