nickstroller

Hi, I'm uncertain about the uncertainty principle. More specifically 'Observing it changes it's state'. Surely observing is a human construct, what does observing actually mean? Looking at it? Detecting it in some way? Could it have been 'observed' before animals existed?

Total layman here ...

Yep shouldn't have mentioned the animals, it was just an extension of the human construct of observing/looking that failed, badly.

Getting there but still slightly confused - So the action of the thing changing due to being observed is basically just a PIA for us humans studying the thing. Without us the 'changed due to being looked at' circumstances would not exist?

Cool good start, thank you.

<< the process of "observation" is by emitting an electrical current

So 'detected' would be a better word to use? If I wanted to check a voltage I would measure it, or detect it, not 'observe' it. Just seems an unusual and confusing term to use, implying that looking at it changes its state.

Right this is starting to make sense in my intellectually challenged old brain. I'm only using earthly creatures because they are the ones observing in this context.

<< two particles that bump into each other have been 'observed.' I could be wrong.

Anyone out there that can expand on this? It implies that every particular interaction in the universe is causing change in this manner does it not?

Sounds pretty chaotic to me :)