Quantum entanglement, fair sampling, and reality: Is the moon there when nobody looks?

TL;DR

This paper discusses the interpretation of quantum entanglement and Bell's theorem, arguing that local realist explanations are possible and challenging the notion that unobserved objects like the moon do not exist.

Contribution

It extends Mermin's simplified Bell's theorem device to show local realist interpretations are feasible via sample selection bias.

Findings

Local realist interpretation of Mermin's device is possible

Sample selection bias can explain quantum correlations

No scientific basis to doubt the moon's existence when unobserved

Abstract

In 1981, David Mermin described a cleverly simplified version of Bell's theorem. It pointed out in a straightforward way that interpreting entanglement from a local realist point of view can be problematic. I propose here an extended version of Mermin's device that can actually be given a simple local realist interpretation through a sample selection bias, and I argue that we still have no scientific reason to believe that the moon could possibly not be there when nobody looks.