Stanford Contemplates Creating Guidelines to Prevent Non-Consensual Quantum Entanglement

(Stanford, CA) In a bold move, Stanford University has released a new set of guidelines to help prevent non-consensual quantum entanglement. In an interview,  Kathryn Moler,  Professor of Applied Physics, shared, "Scientific breakthroughs often outpace our ability to understand their societal implications. At Stanford, we like to be ahead of these matters. As research into quantum computing increases at Stanford, we must ensure that all entanglement is consensual."

Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon that occurs when two particles become connected in such a way that the state of one particle is dependent on the state of the other, regardless of the distance between them. This means that measuring the state of one particle instantly affects the state of the other particle, even if they are far apart. Although never experienced in the laboratory, non-consensual entanglement is mathematically possible. In fact, experiments have demonstrated entanglement between particles separated by large distances, such as photons that are entangled over hundreds of kilometers in optical fibers. However, the strength of the entanglement can weaken over longer distances due to environmental factors and the interaction of the particles with their surroundings.

Researchers at Stanford are trying to understand the implications of non-consensual entanglement, even if it happens over hundreds of kilometers. "How do we know that the entanglements are consensual and that the entangled particle had the agency, at the point of engagement, to say 'no'?" asked Professor Moler.  "AI and CRISPR have faced some significant unintended consequences. We need to "go slow to go fast" in moving forward with our research in quantum entanglement to avoid the same issues. We must first understand entanglement's moral and ethical issues before we go carelessly entangling random photons.” Professor Moler and Professor Imran Khan, the newly appointed Dean of Sub-Atomic Particle Ethics, will be taking a listening tour around campus to gauge the readiness of the campus to address an un-thought-of but potentially thorny issue. "We guess that there is a lot of pain out there. We're not sure if the time is right or if we need to wait as we heal as an institution," stated Khan.

Stanford is taking a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing this looming issue. Stanford decided that commissioning a poem would be the most effective way to start this journey. “It was the perfect opportunity to engage the Humanities department. There are so few students majoring in the humanities that it would give people in the department something to do. Recently, they've been spending a lot of time labeling items and putting stuff in boxes. “ stated Khan.

Unwanted Quantum Entanglement 

Entangled particles, oh how they dance

Across the vastness of space they prance

A curious pairing, forever linked

In a state of mystery, yet not extinct

But what if their bond was not desired

What if their connection left us tired

Of the randomness, the unpredictability

That comes with quantum entanglement's ability

To influence and affect from afar

Leaving our science in a state of bizarre

As we struggle to control and contain

The quantum world's mysterious domain

Unwanted entanglement, a thorn in our side

A challenge to overcome, a problem to abide

But in the end, we may find a way

To tame the wildness, and make it obey

For the universe is full of mystery

And quantum entanglement, a profound history

Of how the smallest of things can impact

The largest of systems, in a remarkable act.

Fact Checker: I suspect that ChatGPT created this poem.