Schrodinger’s Choice

The dark room was almost entirely devoid of furniture. The only items still remaining were a single round table sitting in the middle of the floor, and the ominously large bronze statue of a bull at the opposite end of the room. The only light in the room came from a copper pendant light positioned directly over the table. And, on the table … was the package.

As I entered the room and took a step towards the table, the door shut behind me. I could hear the lock slide into place and looked at the room ahead of me. The bull stared me down, almost as if he was taunting me to come any closer. I knew, however, that there was only one path to choose from here - the path forward. I walked to the table and examined the package.

There was nothing specifically unique about the package. It was encased in a brown paper wrapping and tied with twine. As I lifted the package up to examine it more closely, I was struck by the slightly musty smell that wafted off it. It was as if the package had been sitting in this room for ages, just waiting for the right person to come along and find it.

I turned the package over in my hands, surprised by how light it was. I noticed that an envelope had been placed under it and still sat on the table. In an attempt to keep curiousity from getting the better of me, I decided to examine the contents of the envelope before opening the package.

The package sitting in front of you is a mystery.

Before you proceed with opening this package and dispelling the mystery, however, I need to ensure you are aware of the rules of the game. You see … this particular mystery cannot be unknown once it’s revealed, and it may only be revealed to those who are choose to receive it.

With that in mind, you now have a choice. You can choose to put the package back on the table and walk to the wall farthest from the door you entered in from. On that wall, you will find a lever that will unlock the exit to this room.

If you choose to pursue that route, I promise your sacrifice will not go unrewarded. You will receive material riches beyond your wildest dreams and will live out the rest of your days in significant comfort. You will have family, friends and good health. The only thing you will be left wanting for is the answer to the mystery of this package.

If you do not choose to take the exit door and leave the package unopened behind, you will forego the guarantee of riches and comfort just for the chance to see what this package … this mystery … is really worth.

You see, it could be incredibly valuable. It could contain wealth. Maybe, the combination to a safe filled with gold and gems, or the deed to a spectacular estate.

Or, it could contain knowledge. Possibly the cure to cancer or the secret of life.

Or, it could contain personal peace. Answers to questions you’ve held onto that no one could give you other than those who are dead and gone.

But, you see... the package could also contain misery. It could be nothing more than an invaluable piece of trash. It could be just one more clue on a fictional treasure hunt that takes you even further down a rabbit hole of wasted time and lost resources.

And, if you truly play the probability equation out, which outcome is more likely? That this unremarkable package contains a rare treasure that only you could find? Or, that the contents of this random package you’ve stumbled across are just as unremarkable as the paper it’s been wrapped in.

This package could contain anything, or it could contain nothing. At the moment it contains both. But, you must make a choice and dispel the mystery. Will you take the promise lying on the other side of the exit, or will you turn your back on the certainty of wealth and comfort and peek at the contents inside?

What will you choose?