Quantum Measurements Leave Schrödinger's Cat Alive 210
First time accepted submitter Walking The Walk writes "Your co-workers who keep using Schrödinger's cat metaphor may need to find a new one. New Scientist reports that 'by making constant but weak measurements of a quantum system, physicists have managed to probe a delicate quantum state without destroying it – the equivalent of taking a peek at Schrodinger's metaphorical cat without killing it. The result should make it easier to handle systems such as quantum computers that exploit the exotic properties of the quantum world.'"
I want a refund, Slashdot (Score:4, Funny)
The SchrÃdinger's Cat [thinkgeek.com] I bought from Think Geek keeps dying half the time.
The cat is alive... (Score:4, Funny)
and extremely pissed off about your experiment.
http://afternoonsnoozebutton.com/post/9395842065/breaking-news-schrodingers-cat-is-alive-and [afternoons...button.com]
Bazinga (Score:1, Funny)
We have to name it... (Score:5, Funny)
Can we PLEASE call it a Heisenberg Compensator?
every time ... (Score:5, Funny)
Entangled Garments (Score:4, Funny)
Re:first post ! (Score:5, Funny)
Does anyone here RTFA?
Of course! It's about scientists no longer using sledgehammers to check for the existence of cats in a box. Instead they shine a torch inside. Quite obvious really!
Re:first post ! (Score:3, Funny)
So have these scientists managed to observe Schrödinger's cat in it's dual live/dead 'flux' state?
They must work for the Umbrella Corporation.
Re:BOO BEAR of peeking without killing it ?! (Score:2, Funny)
""The probability distribution does not apply to a single cat, but rather to an ensemble of cats. Repeat the experiment 1000 times and you'll get about 500 alive and 500 dead.""
The whole point of these experiments is to front the whimsical idea of someone, somewhere performing them 1000 times. "What did you do today, honey?" "Number 782." "Alive or dead?" "I'd rather not discuss it." "Oh really--does that mean this cat is in an undetermined state?" "Yeah--for you, now shut up and pass the peas."
Or you go to your doctor and she says, you have a 50 per cent chance of survival for the coming year. Oh shucks, you say, does this mean I'm going to have to crawl into a stupid box and wait? Who is going to open the box? What if no one opens the box? What if someone buries the box? Does this mean that in the last minute I am slightly more statistically dead already? Can I pay you in a year? "I rather you paid now." Oh, that means zero chance for survival.
According to statistics, one 30-millionth of 'you' will perish in a commercial airline accident over the course of your lifetime. Just a few cells here and there, yet something to brush off lightly.
If you've had a brush with death, do not use it on your cat.
95% of lawyers give the other 5% a bad name.
A casino is the box experiment in our reality. So long as you have money are playing you could yet still be someone and not some compulsive irresponsible bum. Here sir, have an hors'd'oeuvre. Take this chit to the bar for a free undetermined-state drink. As the evening wears on and your money is gone and you're just roaming the aisles trying to look like you lost something and the men in suits are following you discreetly and whispering into their armpits, the world outside can only observe you in an undetermined state. Then the box opens itself and you are chucked out and the experiment concludes.
50% of this message is bullshit. The other half is hors'd'hooey.
Re:first post ! (Score:5, Funny)
The cat can be in three states: alive, dead and bloody furious.
Re:first post ! (Score:5, Funny)