The quantum physics of the Itinerant Chorister

Posted on Sun, Jan 31, 2010 : 4:48 p.m.

The quantum physics of the Itinerant Chorister

By Brent Lofgren

One of the laws of quantum mechanics is that by observing or measuring an object, such as a subatomic particle, the observer influences what it does. This week, the Itinerant Chorister visited Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tecumseh, and the director of that choir made it clear that he was keenly aware that he was being watched and written about, but he and the choir carried on anyway.

Brent Lofgren is a local scientist who tries to sing in a different house of worship each week. He can be reached at itinchor [at] gmail [dot] com.

Comments

Brent Lofgren

Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 4:16 p.m.

Indeed, my reference to quantum physics here was meant to be metaphorical rather than literal. My influence as an observer in this case was psychological rather than physical, and not really governed by direct application of quantum mechanics. Your arguments would resonate with mine more if you made some sort of analogy with wave-particle duality or the superposition of quantum states as in the Schroedinger cat paradox.