When two quantum objects interact, the information they contain becomes shared. This can result in a kind of link between them, where an action performed on one will affect the outcome of an action performed on the other. This “entanglement” applies even if the two particles are half a universe apart.
A Q&A with Michael Haiden, Quantum Shorts finalist
Read the story first: Possible Cats
Can you give a short introduction to yourself?
I’m 27 and I study philosophy and political science in Austria. In my studies, I’m very interested in questions of ethics and economic inequality.
Your story touches on ethical themes like how new technology should be used. What was your inspiration?
My biggest inspiration is the work of Amartya Sen. He defines poverty as an absence of choices and of freedom and I read Sen’s works while writing the story and made the connection with this new technology that creates endless possibilities but is actually restricted to a few people. I started to think: how would people without access react or how would they feel?
The protagonist in your story grapples with the inequality. Did you have an idea how things would progress beyond the end of your story?
Sooner or later, you would have to enact some sort of change so that people will have access to the technology. But the question is how. Would it be by peaceful means, or is it going to become more chaotic, maybe even violent? I wanted to leave this open and just bring out the character’s resentment. Maybe, unfortunately, he just has to live with that.
What makes you interested in quantum physics?
Its similarities with philosophy. To me, the whole idea of philosophy is mostly to try to demolish things we believe and think are true but actually cannot really justify. I think what quantum physics also does is question our centuries-old ideas about philosophy, time, space, and causality. I don’t have a deep understanding of quantum physics but it is fascinating that it questions almost everything.
What was your writing process like?
I had the initial idea when I read the prompt. I knew it had to have cats. I also really like this theory in philosophy of possible worlds by David Lewis – that was why the professor was called “Lewis” in this story. I knew I had these elements, but didn’t really find a way to tell a story. Then I thought about the ethical dimension and it just happened by itself. I had the idea when I was sitting in class. I went home and wrote the whole thing in one sitting, then I edited it for a few days.
I tried to think about it a bit like a philosophical ethics paper. In philosophy, we always try to write examples and thought experiments. What was different was focusing on how the characters feel – Aaron is very resentful, Cynthia admires Lewis – and how they think and interact. This was a fascinating dimension to explore.
What is your favourite science-inspired book?
I love the works of Kurt Vonnegut, especially how he turns scientific concepts into absurd consequences. In Cat’s Cradle for example, a scientist develops a way to turn all liquid water into solid. Another work is Timequake where the world is set back years in time but everybody remembers it. In these years, they have to do everything again. It touches on discussions of determinism and free will.
What does being a Quantum Shorts finalist mean to you?
A lot. It is my first try at fiction writing. I never thought that I have an artistic side, so such a prize is a welcome surprise for me.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you or your story?
I think that it is very important philosophers and scientists to engage with fiction writing. I think science fiction has a lot of potential to rattle us in our beliefs with scenarios that seem very real.