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Carlo Rovelli
Center for Theoretical Physics at Aix-Marseille University

Why can we influence the future?

Abstract: The two main components of the QISS community --quantum information and quantum gravity-- have opposite views on the arrow of time. This is generally taken as foundational in the dominant instrumentalist approach of the fist; while is often considered to be only a contingent aspect of the macroworld in the second. I show how to reconcile the two perspectives. This requires two steps: a careful analysis of the arrow of implication; and an understanding of the physical source of the time orientation of the agent. A number of papers have recently addressed these issues offering a compelling solution to the apparent disagreement.
 The two main components of the QISS community –quantum information and quantum gravity– have opposite views on the arrow of time.  This is generally taken as foundational in the dominant instrumentalist approach of the fist; while is often considered to be only a contingent aspect of the macroworld in the second.  I show how to reconcile the two perspectives.  This requires two steps: a careful analysis of the arrow of implication; and an understanding of the physical source of the time orientation of the agent.  A number of papers have recently addressed these issues offering a compelling solution to the apparent disagreement.