David Deutsch, a renowned physicist, recently shared a tweet expressing his astonishment over a new scientific result.

He stated, "> Exactly. I was flabbergasted when I saw this result. It renders obsolete a substantial proportion of all past research in the foundations of quantum theory. Bizarrely, some of that research is still happening regardless." This bold claim suggests a significant paradigm shift within the field of quantum physics.

The specific "result" Deutsch refers to appears to be his collaborative work with Patrick Hayden, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society. This research, as Deutsch explained in an interview with Edge.org, "blows the 'quantum non-locality' misconception clean out of the water." He clarified that information transfer in quantum phenomena is not instantaneous or non-local, but rather travels via physical objects at speeds not exceeding the speed of light, challenging a long-held, mystical interpretation of quantum mechanics.

Deutsch, known for his foundational contributions to quantum computation and his advocacy for the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics, has consistently argued that many existing interpretations of quantum theory are strained by the implications of quantum computing. His work, including the development of Constructor Theory with Chiara Marletto, aims to provide a more fundamental framework for physics, potentially rendering older approaches less relevant. This new result further solidifies his position that a clearer, information-centric view of quantum mechanics is necessary.

The physicist's assertion that "a substantial proportion of all past research in the foundations of quantum theory" is now obsolete highlights a potential re-evaluation of decades of scientific inquiry. While such a claim is significant, the scientific community often takes time to fully integrate and accept such profound shifts. The continued research in areas Deutsch deems obsolete may reflect this ongoing process of scrutiny and adaptation within the complex and evolving landscape of quantum foundations.