Layperson's Question -- The wave function requires observation to collapse?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of wave function collapse in quantum mechanics, particularly questioning the necessity of an observer for this collapse and what that implies for the universe prior to the emergence of life. The scope includes theoretical interpretations of quantum mechanics and philosophical implications.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions who or what could have acted as an observer before life existed if wave function collapse requires observation.
  • Another participant argues that observation does not necessitate a conscious observer for the wave function to collapse.
  • A third participant notes that the interpretation of quantum mechanics affects the understanding of wave function collapse, mentioning that some interpretations do not involve a collapse at all.
  • A later reply suggests exploring David Lindley's book for a layman-friendly explanation of wave function collapse and mentions quantum decoherence as a related topic, though warns it may not be accessible to all readers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of an observer for wave function collapse, indicating that multiple competing interpretations exist without a consensus on the matter.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the dependence on various interpretations of quantum mechanics and the philosophical implications of observation, which remain unresolved. There are also references to literature that may not fully address the questions posed.

Se7enthSon
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TL;DR
If wave function requires observation to collapse, who or what may have been the observer during the billions of years before the emergence of life?
If wave function requires observation to collapse, who or what may have been the observer during the billions of years before the emergence of life?
 
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Answer: The observation does not require a conscious observer to have the collapse.
 
Moderator's note: Thread level changed to "I".
 
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It depends in the interpretation of quantum mechanics. In some interpretations there is not even a collapse.
 
Se7enthSon said:
TL;DR Summary: If wave function requires observation to collapse, who or what may have been the observer during the billions of years before the emergence of life?

If wave function requires observation to collapse, who or what may have been the observer during the billions of years before the emergence of life?
You might want to try David Lindley's layman-friendly book "Where does the weirdness go?". It won't quite answer your question, but it will explain more about how we think about wave function collapse these days.

You might also google for "quantum decoherence", but most of what you find will be less layman-friendly.
 

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