Nobel Physics Laureate: Quantum Mechanics is an Inconsistent Theory

Roger Penrose, who received the Nobel Prize in Physics 2020, makes the following statement in a recent  illuminating  discussion with Jordan B Peterson: 

• Quantum Mechanics is an Inconsistent Theory! 

In other words, the theory of quantum mechanics as expressed in terms of Schrödinger's equations, does not make sense as theory about physics of reality. Penrose here takes the same position as did Schrödinger himself. 

This is also the view I have arrived at after a fruitless search for the physical meaning of Schrödinger's equation. In this regard, quantum theory is similar to Einstein's special theory of relativity, which also lacks meaning in the sense of some form of real physics, a fact admitted by Einstein himself. 

The soul of modern physics is carried by the theories of quantum mechanics and relativity, and if these theories are empty of real physics, then this should pose a problem for modern physicists. But this does not seem to be the case. 

It connects to the tragedy of fluid mechanics by Nobel Chemistry Laureate Sir Cyril Hinshelwood captured as a split between 

• practical fluid mechanics (hydraulics) observing phenomena which cannot be explained, 
• theoretical fluid mechanics explaining phenomena which cannot be observed,  

thus a total collapse of science. 

In both cases scientists are helped out by the fact that the basic equations (Schrödinger's and Navier-Stokes equations) are uncomputable. Thus true comparison between theory and reality cannot be made and so it is possible to claim that true solutions to the equations always agree with reality, even if these solutions cannot be found. And so the spectacle can continue.