Schrodinger's Cat

[Wheelz]

One of my favorite explanations of Schrodinger’s Cat was posted right here on the SDMB, so credit where credit’s due:

@Cayuga

Schroedinger made up the story of the cat to say, “If what you’re saying about quantum mechanics is true, then the cat is both dead and alive. That’s obviously ridiculous, so what you’re saying about quantum mechanics must not be true.”

And the quantum greasemonkeys (what do you call comeone who works with quantum mechanics, anyway?) replied. “You’re right. In the large-scale, everyday world it would be ridiculous. But it’s a fact of life in the sub-atomic quantum world. Which is why quantum mechanics is such a bear to understand.”