Quantum Refuge

In this episode of Radiolab, Lulu interviews Qasem Waleed, a physicist living in Gaza, to understand how quantum physics has helped him cope with the chaos and trauma of living under Israeli bombardment. Qasem describes his life in Gaza, marked by constant conflict, scarcity of resources, and the ever-present threat of violence. He recounts how his fascination with the stars led him to physics and his mentor, Dr. Sufjan Tayeh, who introduced him to quantum mechanics. The conversation explores concepts like superposition and quantum tunneling, and how Qasem uses these ideas to make sense of his reality, especially after the events of October 7th, 2023, the subsequent Israeli counterattack, and the loss of his mentor. Qasem shares his writings, where he uses quantum physics as a metaphor for his existence, particularly the concept of Schrödinger's cat, to describe the feeling of being simultaneously alive and dead in Gaza. Despite the ceasefire, Qasem feels trapped, emphasizing that the genocide has merely transformed, and he yearns for the world to open the box and acknowledge their reality.