# Embracing Uncertainty: Lessons from Quantum Physics
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Chapter 1: The Journey of Acceptance
Life is inherently unpredictable.
Photo by Kai Pilger on Unsplash
I grew up in a bubble of comfort, often getting everything I desired. I skipped school whenever I wanted, indulged in treats without hesitation, and never felt the need to conceal my less-than-ideal habits from my parents. They were protective, but I could easily sway them to my side. The concept of a firm "NO" was foreign until I started reaching out beyond my family. Suddenly, the realities of life hit me hard. I felt anger towards my family for not preparing me for the world outside my home. However, I soon discovered something remarkable. The absence of "NO" in my upbringing didn’t translate to an automatic "YES" in the outside world, but it instilled in me a relentless drive to pursue what I wanted.
Instead of learning to accept defeat, I was taught to persevere. This shift from vulnerability to strength became my superpower.
As I matured, my methods of persuasion became more refined. I learned to recognize my limits while also understanding that some goals required extra effort. I became strategic, exploring various avenues to achieve my desires. No challenge could deter me once I set my mind on something.
In essence, I had developed a personal algorithm focused solely on achieving a "YES."
What does this have to do with Quantum Physics, you ask?
Beyond my stubbornness, I am also an enthusiastic researcher. A few years back, a friend introduced me to the perplexing world of atomic particles, and I was captivated. Since then, I've immersed myself in documentaries and academic papers, striving to make complex concepts more relatable. Although I’m neither a mathematician nor a physicist, I attempt to grasp quantum physics through everyday analogies.
The moment I realized that quantum principles validated my approach to overcoming barriers, my excitement soared.
Section 1.1: The Unpredictability of Life
Science has always served as a reliable compass through the chaos of existence. It enables us to innovate, learn, and, regrettably, to destroy. Scientific principles provide us with definitive answers, helping us navigate life efficiently.
However, as we delve deeper into the fundamental particles of our universe, things start to blur. Particles, the building blocks of everything, don't behave as predictably as we might hope. For instance, if we were to launch an electron towards a wall, its precise landing spot would remain a mystery. This uncertainty is known as superposition, and the Schrödinger equation helps us calculate the possible outcomes of such experiments.
To summarize, the Schrödinger equation allows us to understand the myriad potential states of a particle. While it doesn’t provide us with specific results, it is the best we can achieve. Therefore, we say that a system exists in a superposition of possible states, and to obtain a definitive answer, we must observe the outcome.
If this seems confusing, I recommend watching Brian Greene's insightful video that breaks down these concepts.
Section 1.2: Overcoming Rejection
Before you can transform a "NO" into a "YES," you must first encounter that initial "NO." Many people don't even reach this stage, often assuming their efforts are futile because their hypothetical Schrödinger equation suggests that a firm "NO" is the most likely outcome. This mindset leads to grand dreams without action, which is a mistake.
When you approach someone with a request, their response can be almost unpredictable. You might stumble over your words, they could misunderstand your intentions, or external factors—like a rainstorm—might influence their mood negatively. Life is full of surprises.
Conversely, their rejection might stem from personal insecurities or even mood fluctuations.
Section 2: Learning from Steve Jobs
A notable story about Steve Jobs illustrates this well. At just twelve, he felt compelled to build a frequency counter. Lacking the necessary components, he cold-called Bill Hewlett, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard. After a light-hearted conversation, Bill not only provided assistance but also offered Steve a summer job. Despite the odds stacked against him, Steve saw them not as barriers but as challenges to overcome.
“Most people never pick up the phone; most people never ask. And that’s what separates the doers from the dreamers.” — Steve Jobs.
The takeaway? Never let assumptions, no matter how plausible they seem, deter you from trying. The unpredictability of human interactions mirrors the uncertainties at the quantum level.
Chapter 3: The Quantum Connection
Quantum physics is notoriously complex, often leaving even scientists perplexed. To clarify these concepts, educators frequently use metaphors. For instance, Allan Adams, a professor of quantum mechanics at MIT, uses a simple analogy involving boxes that measure color and hardness.
Imagine an electron with two properties: color (black or white) and hardness (soft or hard). When electrons are sent through respective measuring boxes, they yield results that are entirely unpredictable. Regardless of how many electrons are tested, they will split evenly between the two properties, with no correlation between them.
Image from Allan Adam’s Lecture 1 Notes, ‘Introduction to superposition’. License Terms.
However, when we send these electrons through the measuring boxes multiple times, the results become even more baffling. For example, if we measure color first and then hardness, when we measure color again, we see a mix of results—half black and half white—despite the previous measurement showing them all as black.
Image from Allan Adam’s Lecture 1 Notes, ‘Introduction to superposition’. License Terms.
This counterintuitive behavior can be attributed to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, which suggests that the act of measurement influences the properties of particles.
Image from Allan Adam’s Lecture 1 Notes, ‘Introduction to superposition’. License Terms.
Chapter 4: Lessons from Quantum Theory
Having explored how particles change their properties through different measurements, we can apply this idea to our lives. Just as altering the conditions of an experiment can yield different outcomes, modifying your approach or request can lead to different responses.
For instance, if your pitch to CNN was initially rejected, rather than persisting with the same approach, consider revising your idea or targeting a different outlet. Once you gain experience with smaller publications, you can reassess your strategy with CNN.
This isn't merely a personal insight but a lesson from the universe itself. Quantum physics encourages us to adapt, improve, and persist in our efforts. We should listen to the universe's guidance rather than attempt to control it, as it offers endless possibilities and insights.
In the video "The Trouble with Quantum Physics, and Why It Matters," Adam Becker delves into the intricate world of quantum mechanics and its implications for our understanding of reality.
In "Why Almost No One Understands Quantum Mechanics," Sean Carroll discusses the philosophical and scientific challenges that arise from the complexities of quantum theory.
If my interpretation of quantum principles resonates with you, check out my additional piece on relationships through the lens of quantum physics.
How I Interpret Life in Terms of Quantum Physics We’re all tiny particles in superposition.