The discussion centers on the concept of wave function collapse in quantum mechanics, specifically questioning the necessity of an observer prior to the emergence of life. It is established that observation does not require a conscious entity for collapse to occur. The conversation highlights various interpretations of quantum mechanics, some of which do not involve a collapse at all. The moderator suggests that understanding these interpretations is crucial for grasping the complexities of wave function behavior.
PREREQUISITESStudents of physics, quantum mechanics enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the philosophical implications of observation in the context of quantum theory.
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.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?