This is a follow up interview with Dr. Aaron Breidenbach. In our first episode (EOTR 326), we discussed the crystals of Zn-Barlowite and Herbertsmithite that he grew and studied in his PhD at Stanford. These crystal have the potential to be used in applications in future quantum computers. See our first episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5YlHkGM3p6nfzSGU4yZjAv
These crystals also grow naturally in the Atacama Desert in Chile. Aaron recently returned from an expedition with Chilean Anthopologist Vincente Carrasola Vega. They were successful in finding natural crystals of Herbertsmithite. These crystals are likely to be purer than laboratory synthetics, and this could enable new experiments in quantum physics. Tragically, however, these crystals are currently being destroyed in massive quantities as low-grade copper ore in ecologically damaging mining practices. We discuss the implications of this discovery, and the irony and tragedy of overextraction.
We conclude this episode by talking about the relation of this disovery to Ayni, the local indigenous system of animistic reciprocity with the land. Aaron proposes a return expedition to Chile to look for one of the country's most famous lost archeological artifacts; a crystal ball found at the summit of the sacred volcano Licanabur. He believes that the ancient people of the land may have used these spheres to focus sunlight onto mineral samples to learn more about their properties. He hopes to replicate this experiment with the help of indigenous Aymara and Atacamenian collaborators. Aaron can be reached at: https://thequantumarcheologist.org/
This podcast is available on your favorite podcast feed, or here:https://endoftheroad.libsyn.com/episode-336-aaron-breidenbach-quantum-physicsanimism-ii
Have a blessed weekend!
