In the early 20th century, Austrian physicist Erwin Schrodinger devised a thought experiment that people later called “Schrodinger’s cat.”
In the experiment, a cat is placed inside a sealed box with a radioactive substance that might trigger the release of hydrogen cyanide.
In pop culture references, the cat is said to be simultaneously alive and dead. Until the box is opened, an observer does not know its state.
Taiwan’s ongoing egg shortage is a case in point. As social media platforms are in a “superposition” state with some people discussing the shortage, while others discuss it as a nonevent, buyers never know if there are eggs available until they are standing in front of the shelves.
However, according to the observer effect — meaning the one who observes affects the one who is observed — people who perceive an apparent shortage might start buying or even hoarding eggs, causing the shortage to exacerbate with every person standing in front of an increasingly empty shelf. Even if there is a steady supply of eggs, talk of a shortage might result in more people hoarding them.
Consequently, when people share personal observations about the egg shortage on social media that are contrary to the experiences of others, two factions might form and the discussion might enter a “superposition” state.
Schrodinger’s cat is a thought experiment, a hypothesis that does not require a real cat, a bottle of poisonous gas or a radioactive substance.
Meanwhile, whether there is an egg shortage can be proved by objective data, instead of discourse on social media.
On Tuesday last week, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co founder Terry Gou (郭台銘) posted a sarcastic remark on social media saying that the “egg crisis” is “sparing no one” with no quick solution in sight.
The Council of Agriculture responded, providing statistics and reasons, and proposing solutions.
Three lessons can be learned from the egg shortage incident.
First, when it comes to controversial topics, people cannot just make whatever statements they wish to make based on their personal opinions and ideologies.
After all, objective truths and facts do exist.
Second, learning from COVID-19 pandemic prevention measures, it is known that open and transparent information is the best tool to deal with disputed facts. The earlier they are published, the better, as this prevents political parties from framing the situation to fit their ideologies and distorting the truth.
Finally, irrespective of the political party, the pursuit of truth should always be the priority.
No matter how many people claim there is a shortage and that they cannot get their hands on eggs, their experiences do not become invalid because of opposing opinions on social media.
Saying otherwise does not address their problems and might cause them to develop negative attitudes as they are overwhelmed by opposing remarks or are subjected to ridicule. Such maneuvers are highly unfavorable to any political party.
Eggs on the shelves are not the hypothetical cat in Schrodinger’s thought experiment. It is fine for Schrodinger not to care about the life of an imaginary cat, but politicians have a responsibility to ensure eggs are on the shelves and address the state of superposition as soon as possible.
Chang Yueh-han is an adjunct assistant professor in Shih Hsin University’s Department of Journalism.
Translated by Rita Wang
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