Quantum Media

There is a phenomenon in the world of Quantum Mechanics called wave function collapse. I can barely understand it, let alone explain it very eloquently, but this collapse seems to occur when wee tiny bits of matter change their patterns of “behavior” during observation. I won’t elaborate on the whole double-slit experiment – but the general idea is that the wee particles or electrons were doing one thing, creating waves and interference patterns – which, by the way, was pretty astounding and confounding. But the even more astounding thing was that when the brainiacs (physicists) decided to get a closer look at the electrons by setting up a measuring device – and then all of a sudden the electrons behaved entirely differently. True story.

So, this is what comes to mind when I am being bombarded by the news media’s sound-bites about whatever is the current event of the moment. Last month it was Tiger’s tales of woe. Before that we had the D.C. gate crashers. And Balloon Boy. And remember the diaper-wearing-astronaut?

Now about Tiger Woods. I’m just as confused and saddened by these developments as anyone else. Compared to so many public figures, he really seemed like someone to admire, to look up to. His whole story, complete with moral outlook is still untold. And yet so many are quick to write him off. Maybe he deserves the vilification, maybe not. But what really gets me is the media’s involvement. A respected Boston radio station ran one of their many polls for the listening audience; “can Tiger Woods make a comeback?”

Hell, I wanted to shout at the radio – “Not after all these stories you keep running!!!!”

And, coincidently, 60% of the responders said that they will not be able to look at Woods in the same way.

Ack, the media has a job to do and all, but when my usual outlets start acting like TMZ, it’s too much to bear. The schadenfreude is clear and getting worse. Oy. I’d ramble on about that, but maybe another time.