How so? My understand is that a photon is a discrete packet of energy. Why can't I count those? If there is an excitation in the electromagnetic field, and then there is not, and then there is one - why are those not separate, countable photons?

You realize you're now just making up your own definition for a photon on top of what actually exists right?

No, I'm asking questions. I literally said (albeit with a typo) "my understanding is". Where am I making up a definition?

You're free to show everyone my stupidity by answering my questions.

I already told you that photons don't exist, I think you just didn't accept it.

My understand is that a photon is a discrete packet of energy.

There is no such thing in the physical world as a 'discreet packet of energy'. This is an abstraction for simulation.

Would you be so gracious as to answer my questions, instead of just repeating what you previously said? I'll copy and paste:

> Why can't I count those? If there is an excitation in the electromagnetic field, and then there is not, and then there is one - why are those not separate, countable photons?

You can call and count things however you want. If you have a steady light source I'll go one better and count it for you - one, because electromagnetic radiation is not somehow switching on and off automatically.

That would be like you turning your stereo on and off and declaring the sound to be sound particles. You can do it, but you're ignoring physical reality.

Computers work with alternating voltages, but that doesn't make them 'electricity packets' or 'electricity particles'.

Electromagnetic radiation is going to be a magnitude at a certain frequency over time.