Quantum Dreaming: The Relevance of Quantum Mechanics to Regional Science

Abstract

Regional scientists are familiar with such concepts as Wicked Problems and Social Messes, which describe a human world of great complexity and uncertainty. Both dramatically affect the accuracy and effectiveness of our analysis of regional economic process and policy prescription alike. This paper adds additional layers or dimensions to Wicked Problems and Social Messes via analogy with concepts derived from Quantum Mechanics, a branch of particle physics itself shrouded in great complexity and uncertainty. Heisenberg's (1930) uncertainty principle, for example, asserts the impossibility of stating accurately both the location and velocity of matter on account of its simultaneous wave- and particle-like behaviour, ideas that appear to apply to economic systems. Quantum mechanics also entertains the weird notions of entanglement and superposition, the latter of which led to Schrödinger's famous mind-game in which he proved a cat could be simultaneously alive and dead and Einstein's disparaging remarks about the entire field. Yet our spatial economic systems seem to embody elements of both entanglement and superposition. So Quantum Mechanics has potentially strange implications for theoretical development in regional science and ensuing public policy.