  The relational interpretation of quantum mechanics (RQM), introduced in its
present form by Carlo Rovelli in 1996, involves a number of significant
departures from other QM interpretations widely discussed in the literature. We
begin here by summarizing these unique RQM features, with a focus on those that
suggest altered insights into the nature of the randomness exhibited in QM
phenomena. One of these RQM features is the assumption that all objects in the
universe are quantum objects, regardless of their material complexity. And, the
interaction of any two objects can result in new relational quantum states of
each of the objects with the other as reference. But such new states do not
replace relational states corresponding to previous interactions with other
reference objects. In particular, such earlier relational states that include a
variable considered to be random do not collapse to define a determined value
of the variable, but instead simply take on that specific value in the state
relative to the new reference. The concept of randomness associated with
quantum state variables in RQM thus differs from that in other QM
interpretations. Rather than take the usual pedantic approach of elaborate
side-by-side comparisons between the RQM and other common QM interpretations,
we illustrate these differences by describing in some detail the well-known
"dual-slit" experiment in terms of RQM concepts, pointing out the important
advantages over other interpretations along the way. Of course, we suggest no
change in dual-slit experiment results, but believe that the interpretative
modifications are helpful and profound.
