For all you physics buffs who like the abstract theoretical more so than dross quantum applications, I offer this layman's prose dissecting indeterminacy of a particular system: love.
The first position is that the system is in all senses unstable, lacking definable boundaries. Different elements enter, leave and mutate - consequently making it implausible for anyone to assign distinct values.
The system is said to exist if two distinct entities come into communicative contact with each other, and at some point in time experience simultaneous feelings of connectedness - self-defined as love. (Although, the system here described is idealized, and other systems which have similar elements may also be viable substitutes, because the definition of the system itself is a value of indeterminacy.)
Case I: A boyfriend (XY) and girlfriend (XX) system, wherein the boyfriend begins to use drugs in an addicted capacity, thereby threatening the viability of the system; and the girlfriend attempts to influence outcomes.
XX + XY demonstrates that a system has come into play. At some point in time behaviors outside the control of XX are exhibited by XY. Said actions are not aimed at destroying the system, but are rather self-destructive acts that threaten the mortal existence of XY (and therefore the viability of the system) .
XX (in the same way as XY) is an unstable entity that has the ability to act (while subject to subjectivity) as an objective observer of the system of which, she is a part. When a part of the system begins to measure and define the values and properties of said system for the purpose of influencing behaviors and subsequently outcomes, instability increases.
Instability in this sense means that indeterminacy is observed to increase. However, theoretically this is impossible. The system is infinitely indeterminate. The instability actually arises from an increase in unknown and immeasurable properties. Therefore, it is only the perspective of the observer (or the device of measurement) which perceives an expansion in number of potential influences and outcomes.
Having identified two categorical outcomes: the failure or success of the system - there exist infinite qualitative variations subcategorized to each.
The consequence of observation of an indeterminate system is that eventual outcome(s) cannot be controlled or determined based on any one or combination of actions.
Application of these assumptions to the case description translates to this:
A girlfriend whose boyfriend suddenly relapses on drugs elects to split her consciousness. On the one hand she remains a part of the relationship (system) - and on the other, she becomes an outside observer. Through observation she hopes to better understand the relationship and the behaviors of her boyfriend so that she can alter her own behaviors in order to change his behaviors (i.e. to get sober) and thereby ensure continued viability of the relationship.
As a result of her observations, she comes to realize the complete indeterminacy of the system of which she is a part. Consequently she is unable to define enough values and properties within the system to determine the right course of action that would cause the desired outcome. Furthermore, the number of potential outcomes increases far beyond simple success or failure, and may be close to infinity in variation. Furthermore, influencing forces are unquantifiable and unqualifiable.
The end result will be determined by time and observation alone.
