Does the breakdown of the wave function need a concsious observer?

[cezalinho]

Someone told me that in the experiments which display the collapse of the wave function, there is no need for a conscious observer. They said if we left an observing instrument on its own it would manage to do the same thing. Is this true? In fact this person thinks that the instrument interferes with the experiments and that’s why the wave function collapses.

 

[San K]

no. its just how the experiment is setup.

even if no human/life is observing you can still "collapse the wave function" via instrumentation/setup.

nothing to do with consciousness...though many people/webpages love to link it that way...to make it more mysterious/fun...;)

 

[bugatti79]

no. its just how the experiment is setup.

nothing to do with consciousness...though many people/webpages love to link it that way...to make it more mysterious/fun...;)

Exactly, that's quantum hype! :-)

 

[Fredrik]

Someone asked this question about a week ago I think. Perhaps someone who remembers the thread title can link to it.

Edit: I think this thread from two days ago is the one I only vaguely remembered.