The Heisenberg Uncertainty principle (as it is usually translated) holds that fundamental particles under observation are affected by the act of observation. When we look at them, we participate with them; we change them.
Back in the 1920's (almost at the same time as Heisenberg was doing his thing) a social psychologist called Hawthorne, the original 'time and motion' man, was looking to improve worker efficiency; not surprisingly, workers who were watched became more efficient.
Like the rest of us, I have watched awards ceremonies like the Oscars with a certain amount of superior distance - the awards are arbitrary, after all: is the Oscar winner necessarily better than the runner up? (Forrest Gump versus Shawshank Redemption? Ordinary People versus Raging Bull? I don't think so).
Observed, awards ceremonies are luvvie hokum.
But, gentle reader, I have myself been up for awards in the past for some of the projects I have helped put together. And when they open the envelope, you try to affect nonchalance, but when they call out your name you grin like a baby, newly fed. Someone else thinks that what you do is worthwhile. Heisenberg was right: being there is definitely better than watching - and different too.
And in April, I and my clients are up for another. Penguin suits and too much wine, listening to tedious speakers reeling off boring platitudes with music and lights and multimedia lending the whole thing a spurious glamour.
I love it.
Dammit, I'm an applause junkie.
- Drib
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