The rumored death of Osama bin Laden can teach us a great deal about the world of quantum physics as outlined by the great Erwin Schrödinger. The experiment is simple:
Osama bin Laden is placed in a cave. Attached to the cave is an apparatus containing a radioactive atomic nucleus and a canister of typhus. This apparatus is separated from the Osama in such a way that Osama can in no way interfere with it. The experiment is set up so that there is exactly a 50% chance of the nucleus decaying in six years. If the nucleus decays, it will emit a particle that triggers the apparatus, which opens the canister and kills the Osama. If the nucleus does not decay, then Osama remains alive.
What does this mean in practical terms?
According to quantum mechanics, the unobserved nucleus is described as a superposition (meaning it exists partly as each simultaneously) of "decayed nucleus" and "undecayed nucleus". However, when the cave is opened the experimenter sees only a "decayed nucleus/dead Osama" or an "undecayed nucleus/living Osama."
Obviously it is in their best interest to keep Osama in a state of quantum flux. Is he dead? Is he alive? The only way to know is look in the cave and we ain't gonna do that!
I also propose the following experiment to further our understanding of Osama bin Laden and his relationship to quantum physics:
The Double-Slit Bin Laden Experiment:
A cave has two mouths through which Osama can exit. When one exit is covered, a single Osama is observed exiting the cave. However, when both exits are opened, instead of the sum of two Bin Ladens exiting, we see an interference pattern of light and dark regions of the media. This proves that Osama is both a wave and a particle.