A Lesson in Uncertainty

The Max Planck Institute and the improvisational theatre group Kanonenfutter hosted an extraordinary evening dedicated to quantum mechanics yesterday at the Merlin cultural center. As part of the International Year of Quantum Science – marking 100 years of quantum mechanics – the actors performed scenes and ideas from this fascinating and often puzzling world, bringing its peculiar phenomena closer to the audience.

Moderated by Juliane Braig and with scientific support from Samuel van Gele of the MPI, the performers painted a wonderfully comical picture of the world of science. Amid loud laughter from the audience, quantum mechanical phenomena were translated into relationship dramas – for example, the Quantum Zeno effect (a system that cannot change under repeated observation) became the insight that constant control can stifle a relationship.

In various games, the improv group repeatedly showcased great wit and acting skill. Musical talent was also on display: in the game “This Could Be a Song,” ultra-cold superconductivity was sung about as a hot topic – and in the end, even a new hymn for the institute emerged, seemingly out of thin air.

After two hours full of laughter, scientific facts, and accessible examples, the evening ended to rapturous applause with a well-received encore. It became clear: art, entertainment, and science are by no means mutually exclusive – when well-balanced, there’s something in it for everyone. What made the evening particularly special was that we were able to reach an audience we rarely engage with – and spark their enthusiasm for science and research.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the actors Micha Dmoch, Merle Giebeler, Johannes Kahlhöfer, Philipp Maurer, and Sarah Rehm, to Juliane Braig for the moderation, and to Samuel van Gele for the scientific support.