The Copenhagen Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics says that the cat is in a kind of limbo represented by a wave function which contains the possibility that the cat is dead and also the possibility that the cat is alive. When we look in the box, and not before, one of these possibilities actualizes and the other vanishes. This is known as the collapse of the wave function because the hump in the wave function representing the possibility that did not occur, collapses. It is necessary to look into the box before either possibility can occur. Until then, there is only a wave function.
These are bits and pieces of the mystery, not given that we should understand and thereby dissolve it, but that with each new speck its depth might be expanded and we humbled.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The Dancing Wu Li Masters
Gary Zukav
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