This scientific paper by James Tagg and William Reid of Valis Corporation (Encinitas, California), dated April 2, 2025, describes a quantum computing experiment testing Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch-OR), the theory of consciousness proposed by Sir Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff.
The experiment uses superconducting transmon qubits to demonstrate wavefunction collapse consistent with Orch-OR. The researchers perform a partial measurement on a qubit and use the result to move an estimated 10^-12 kg of mass in one of two locations separated by approximately 1 mm. In standard quantum mechanics, the partial measurement leaves the system in an improper mixture that retains quantum coherence. According to Penrose's theory, improper mixtures can lead to gravitationally induced objective reduction.
The organization name "Valis Corporation" directly references Dick's 1981 novel VALIS, creating a remarkable link between contemporary quantum consciousness research and Dick's philosophical preoccupations with the nature of reality and mind. Dick's fiction and Exegesis writings frequently explored themes of information, consciousness, and the fundamental nature of reality that parallel the concerns of Penrose-Hameroff theory. This paper represents a striking instance of Dick's intellectual legacy extending into cutting-edge physics research.