Conference
Symposium Metaphors for quantum science and technology
- Date
- Friday 29 November 2024
- Time
- Address
- Lipsius
Cleveringaplaats 1
2311 BD Leiden - Room
- 2.03
“That’s precisely not how quantum works” – On the reception of metaphors for quantum science and technology
Quantum science and technology is an emerging field of research that is expected to have a large impact on both science and society going forward. In order to increase societal engagement with quantum science and technology – and to enhance the chance that future developments in the field comply with societal needs and public values – public dialogue is of key importance.
However, the abstract and counterintuitive nature of quantum mechanics presents significant challenges in conveying its fundamental principles, applications, and implications to non-specialist audiences.
Metaphors can play an important role in bridging the gap between the abstract nature of quantum and broader public understanding. A common example of a metaphor that is used in communication about quantum mechanics is the metaphor describing Schrödinger’s cat in a box, resembling the probabilistic nature of quantum physics.
Although metaphors can be effective in communication, they are not always (directly) accepted and are sometimes even opposed. Metaphors may, for instance, be questioned or even resisted for their underlying assumptions, or for lack of correspondence with the topic under discussion. This also holds for metaphors for quantum science and technology – as is demonstrated by discussions about metaphors for quantum on social media.
The above raises the questions how (different) metaphors for quantum are received by different audience segments, and what may trigger resistance to these metaphors amongst experts and laypersons