[R. Scott]

I am beginning to believe that “wave” and “particle” are artificial constructs we have created as a result of living and observing in the macro world for so long. In “reality” (what ever it may be) everything is composed of wave like particles – or particle like waves. Maybe a new word is needed.

[Netheron]

You know, it's discussions (not the previous post specifically) like this that require the explanation of the postulates of quantum mechanics in the Freshman year of high school, instead of waiting to the sophmore/junior year for physics majors. Then we can just say that the electron is a quantum object and forget all of this wave/particle B.S.

The electron is a quantum system where the relative value of Planck's constant is large compared to the mutiplicand of momentum and distance. It is acting like a quantum system. We've had outstanding descriptions of this for the last 50 years. This experiment has done nothing but, once again, validate the accepted description for the umpteenth time. The electron is acting exactly like the math says it should. An electron is what it is and we can validate it's description down to 13 decimal places. There is no problem with independent reality here, and anyone who says there is is a COMPLETELY IGNORANT MORON!

[Doctor Stochastic]

Yep. Electrons are electrons. We assign the concept "wave" or "particle" as is convenient.

[Faraday]

I seem to remember one or another text in quantum physics referring to the particle/wave reality using the name "wavicle."

Regarding the question of the independent (of observation) reality of the physical world, ask oneself the question: Was there ever a time when the universe (as we currently understand it) existed without any observer (i.e. conscious entities with awareness of the external world)? Either there was such a time or our understanding of cosmology is seriously flawed. Also, postulating God as an observer wouldn't be sufficient, as omniscience would suggest that the uncertainty relation would not be binding, violating the very premise of the exercise.