thoughtexperiment. You put a live cat into a box, along with a vial of poison and a radioactive substance. If even one atom of the radioactive stuff decays, a mechanism will trip a device that will break the vial and kill the cat. But before you open the box, you can’t know if the cat is dead or alive, and if you subscribe to the Copenhagen theory, then you must believe that the cat is both dead
and
alive at the same time. Which Schrödinger was trying to point out was kind of ridiculous.”
Ashley’s eyes had grown wide with horror. “That’s total animal cruelty! Does PETA know about this?”
I took a deep breath. “I don’t think PETA existed back then,” I explained patiently. “And it was a
thought
experiment. Meaning, he didn’t really do it. He was just trying to point out the discrepancy between matter on a microscopic level and matter in our actual, observable world. It was meant as a discussion piece.” I pointed down at Schrödinger. “The experiment is known as Schrödinger’s Cat.”
She stared at me blankly for a moment. Then her show came back on, and she unmuted the TV. Our conversation was officially over.
WEDNESDAY—61%
On Wednesday after lunch (which I ate under the stairwell), I had science with Phoebe again. It wasn’t quite as fun, because her friend and lab partner, a girl named Violet, was back. “What did one quantum physicist say to another quantum physicist when he wanted to fight him?” I whispered to them near the end of class. “Let me atom!”
Phoebe snorted, but Violet just rolled her eyes. I don’t think she appreciates my sense of humor.
Then I had phys ed. I am not proud of what I did, but as I had not yet figured out a solution to the Jared Conundrum, my options were limited. So I wrote a note.
Dear Mr. Stellar
,
Please excuse Stewart from gym class today. He has a doctor’s appointment. It is nothing serious in case you were wondering. Just a wart
.
Sincerely, Leonard Inkster
My hand was shaking when I handed the note to Mr. Stellar before class, but he barely even glanced at it. “See you next time,” he said.
Then I left school and jogged home just so I could say I’d gotten some exercise.
When Dad and I took our nightly walk, I almost told him about the Jared Conundrum. Since Mom died, we’ve made a point of trying to tell each other everything. But when I looked at him under the glow of the streetlamps, I just couldn’t do it. I knew it would make him sick with worry. I knew he’d get the school involved, or insist I go back to Little Genius Academy. And while it’s hard for me to explain, I feel like I need to take care of this on my own, not just for my sake, but for my mom’s.
So even though I avoided Jared, I could only giveWednesday a 61 percent. I had to deduct points for (1) forging my dad’s signature and (2) lying.
THURSDAY — 74%
An average and uneventful day.
FRIDAY—82%
Today is a professional development day, so no school, which is a stroke of luck. I have three whole days to try to figure out the Jared Conundrum. And while I haven’t done much except unpack the rest of my stuff and do homework, I have anticipatory excitement that immediately pushes today over 80 percent.
First, my dad and I are on our own tonight because Caroline is emceeing a fund-raiser/fashion show and she’s taking Ashley. We are going to order a pizza and hang up my mom’s big painting,
Mother and Child
. Afterward we’re going to watch
E.T.
, which is only the best movie of all time.
And second, Alistair is coming over on Saturday and spending the night. It’s going to be great. We’re going to work on my bike, and later we’re going to have an epic game of Stratego.
Best of all, if there’s one person who’s even better at problem-solving than I am, it’s Alistair.
I can get his brain working on the Jared Conundrum, too.
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN, he’s having a sleepover?” I said to my mom on Saturday morning. She’d insisted I go with her
and
alive at the same time. Which Schrödinger was trying to point out was kind of ridiculous.”
Ashley’s eyes had grown wide with horror. “That’s total animal cruelty! Does PETA know about this?”
I took a deep breath. “I don’t think PETA existed back then,” I explained patiently. “And it was a
thought
experiment. Meaning, he didn’t really do it. He was just trying to point out the discrepancy between matter on a microscopic level and matter in our actual, observable world. It was meant as a discussion piece.” I pointed down at Schrödinger. “The experiment is known as Schrödinger’s Cat.”
She stared at me blankly for a moment. Then her show came back on, and she unmuted the TV. Our conversation was officially over.
WEDNESDAY—61%
On Wednesday after lunch (which I ate under the stairwell), I had science with Phoebe again. It wasn’t quite as fun, because her friend and lab partner, a girl named Violet, was back. “What did one quantum physicist say to another quantum physicist when he wanted to fight him?” I whispered to them near the end of class. “Let me atom!”
Phoebe snorted, but Violet just rolled her eyes. I don’t think she appreciates my sense of humor.
Then I had phys ed. I am not proud of what I did, but as I had not yet figured out a solution to the Jared Conundrum, my options were limited. So I wrote a note.
Dear Mr. Stellar
,
Please excuse Stewart from gym class today. He has a doctor’s appointment. It is nothing serious in case you were wondering. Just a wart
.
Sincerely, Leonard Inkster
My hand was shaking when I handed the note to Mr. Stellar before class, but he barely even glanced at it. “See you next time,” he said.
Then I left school and jogged home just so I could say I’d gotten some exercise.
When Dad and I took our nightly walk, I almost told him about the Jared Conundrum. Since Mom died, we’ve made a point of trying to tell each other everything. But when I looked at him under the glow of the streetlamps, I just couldn’t do it. I knew it would make him sick with worry. I knew he’d get the school involved, or insist I go back to Little Genius Academy. And while it’s hard for me to explain, I feel like I need to take care of this on my own, not just for my sake, but for my mom’s.
So even though I avoided Jared, I could only giveWednesday a 61 percent. I had to deduct points for (1) forging my dad’s signature and (2) lying.
THURSDAY — 74%
An average and uneventful day.
FRIDAY—82%
Today is a professional development day, so no school, which is a stroke of luck. I have three whole days to try to figure out the Jared Conundrum. And while I haven’t done much except unpack the rest of my stuff and do homework, I have anticipatory excitement that immediately pushes today over 80 percent.
First, my dad and I are on our own tonight because Caroline is emceeing a fund-raiser/fashion show and she’s taking Ashley. We are going to order a pizza and hang up my mom’s big painting,
Mother and Child
. Afterward we’re going to watch
E.T.
, which is only the best movie of all time.
And second, Alistair is coming over on Saturday and spending the night. It’s going to be great. We’re going to work on my bike, and later we’re going to have an epic game of Stratego.
Best of all, if there’s one person who’s even better at problem-solving than I am, it’s Alistair.
I can get his brain working on the Jared Conundrum, too.
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN, he’s having a sleepover?” I said to my mom on Saturday morning. She’d insisted I go with her
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