Schrodinger’s Cat

Watching ‘The Big Bang Theory’ for the umpteenth time, I happened to reach the end of season 1 where Sheldon is explaining the Schrodinger’s cat theory to Penny. And I looked at it and thought that was a really nice way to approach relationships.

Leanord and Penny on The Big Bang Theory

We don’t know if the cat is dead or alive in the Schrodinger’s cat experiment until we open the box, similarly relationships which have not yet started are both dead and alive at the same time. You will have to observe it to find out which state they are in by, possibly, going out on dates.

The theory is not that complicated on the surface and is a great parallel as to how relationships should work. Anyway, so I knew this girl who I quite liked and was not really sure if I should ask out and I am guessing she felt the same way about going out with me, so I went about explaining this theory to her so that she could see the perspective I was aiming for.

I explained the theory for about 15 minutes because she had never heard of it, at all times drawing parallels to the dating concept, for her to understand exactly what I was getting at.

After all the explaining was over, a few moments of silence ensued during which I was not sure what to do except probably rethink everything I had said and wonder if I could have put it in a better way.

‘So you are telling me that the cat could be either dead or alive in the box?’ she asked.

‘Yes,’ I nodded vigorously thankful that she had probably understood everything I told her.

‘That’s a very mean thing to do to a cat,’ she furiously stated. ‘Why would you want to keep it in a box with radioactive substance and not even find out if it is alive? That is simply pathetic!’

I looked at her face for some time, confused as I was, hoping to see a hint of sarcasm on it.

After I concluded that she was quite serious about her complain, I realized that the box had been opened.