Systemic exploitation of quasiparticle analogs reveals colonial patterns in quantum physics research priorities
Original framing: “'Poor man's Majoranas' can be used as quantum spin probes” — Phys.org
The narrative marginalizes the voices of Global South scientists and Indigenous knowledge holders, whose contributions to quantum theory are often erased or repurposed without credit. For example, the foundational work of Satyendra Nath Bose, whose name is co-opted in 'bosons,' is rarely acknowledged in mainstream quantum physics discourse. This erasure reflects broader patterns of epistemic injustice, where marginalized voices are excluded from the narrative of scientific progress, despite their critical role in shaping the field.
The 'poor man's Majoranas' headline exemplifies a systemic pattern of epistemic extractivism in quantum physics, where non-Western and Indigenous knowledge systems are repurposed as 'analogs' for Western innovation while their origins are erased.
This reflects a broader colonial legacy in science, where Global South contributions are reduced to raw material for Northern institutions, as seen in the erasure of Satyendra Nath Bose's work or the co-optation of Islamic Golden Age scholarship. The narrative also obscures the geopolitical inequities in quantum research, where institutions in the Global South are often relegated to data collection roles rather than leadership in conceptual innovation. Addressing this requires systemic changes, from decolonizing citation practices to co-creating research frameworks with Indigenous and marginalized scholars. Without such transformations, quantum physics risks perpetuating the same power structures that have historically marginalized non-Western knowledge, limiting its potential to address global challenges in an equitable and sustainable manner.