Schrödinger’s Relationship

Let’s start with Schrödinger’s cat.

Schrödinger’s cat is a thought experiment, sometimes described as a paradox, devised by Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger in 1935. It illustrates what he saw as the problem of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics applied to everyday objects. The scenario presents a cat that may be simultaneously both alive and dead [until being observed by the external universe collapses the system into one or the other], a state known as a quantum superposition, as a result of being linked to a random subatomic event that may or may not occur. The thought experiment is also often featured in theoretical discussions of the interpretations of quantum mechanics.

It might be fair to say I am in love with uncertainty. Maybe that is why I turn to books about physics or cosmology when work has me extremely stressed? I thought that it was because I would overwhelm my brain with something else. But maybe it is because I so very love the principle of things existing in superpositions until we force them into a position.

Until one asks out the girl, it is in a superposition state. The yes/no simultaneously exists until I ask. That trite “at least you asked” when she says no never comforts me. I am hurt because I was rejected. Here’s the thing… When she says yes, I get really terrified. So the only time I am happy is in the state of uncertainty where I do not know. All the possibilities are on the table. I can dream about where it could go without being committed to a state I cannot handle.

I’m thinking of adding this to my answers to “Why are you single?“

No Beginning?

The universe may have existed forever, according to a new model that applies quantum correction terms to complement Einstein’s theory of general relativity. The model may also account for dark matter and dark energy, resolving multiple problems at once.

This would be quite interesting if validated. The furthest Hubble can see is about 10-15 billion light years. It seems that if the universe has always existed, then the best evidence would something older than 13.8 billion years old.

Path to Mylae

I laid down my book. Hannah wanted to know what it is. I re-oriented it so she could see the cover and told her it is a Conan book of the original stories by Robert Howard. (The Conquering Sword of Conan)

She asked if sword and sorcery is what I read. I admitted that I tend to read lots of it, as one cannot read quantum mechanics all the time. She reads mysteries.

In retrospect mine was a pretty poor stated answer. I read lots of both non-fiction and fiction. With fiction it is thrillers, mysteries, and sci-fi but more fantasy. With non-fiction I am more diverse about equally physics, biology, history, biographies, prognostication. My answer could be interpreted as I just read two things.

I asked who is her favorite author. She thought about it for a while. Maybe because I am still in the mindset of interviewing people for jobs we have open, I offered a qualification: Just someone you enjoy reading. She asked could she answer with a poet. I replied that works. She named T.S. Elliot. It happens a friend of mine has a cat named T.S. Elliot Destroyer of Worlds.

She left to go to work. I went into the Kindle app on my phone and bought The Waste Land on my phone. I started reading it and ran across “You who were with me in the ships at Mylae !” I felt like I should know of Mylae, but it did not readily come, so I looked it up to go off reading about the First Punic War.

Ah, the stuff my brain suffers because of a pretty woman who talks to me.