What is the Observer Effect?
Exploring a Fundamental Concept in Quantum Physics
One of the arguably more weird and strange concepts within quantum physics and mechanics which may take some adjustment to get familiar with is the Quantum Observer Effect, which states that the act of observing a system or set of parameters within that system will cause it to change in some way. This runs directly in opposition to what we perceive in three-dimensional life, in which something does not appear to change when we look away and back at it again.
What does this mean within the context of our lives? Of course, physicists and engineers may find some useful applications based on tests such as the double-slit experiment however if you’re reading this you are likely not a physicist and you may not have any use for laboratory findings or experimental data — but if you are building your own quantum computer however — please reach out to me!
Effectively, the existence of the observer effect means that we are always creating our own realities based on how we observe the circumstances in our lives. More specifically we are co-creating a shared gestalt reality within the framework of infinite possibilities by choosing what we observe moment-to-moment as we pass through perceived time.
Multidimensional Reality
What we perceive as “reality” is in fact a three-dimensional rendering of our current experience within four-vector spacetime. When we speak of things such as alternate realities and parallel dimensions, the foundational concept behind these ideas is indeed the observer effect. In simple terms, this means that all dimensions and realities (or timelines) all co-exist right now simultaneously, and that what we experience in 3D is what we are creating out of the multiverse of infinite potential.
When we hear people talk about “living in 5D” instead of the 3D or 4D worlds, they are referring to the conscious decision to choose one’s experience at will entirely from a 4D snapshot in spacetime which is then rendered down into 3D physical space which we receive as feedback.
According to quantum mechanics, concepts such as alternate timelines or even time travel are all entirely plausible realistic phenomena, since time and space are relative to one another and neither is located within a fixed constant system. This also means that energies and energy patterns may exist far outside our three-dimensional realm which may be used to glean information from unknown sources or transmit information outside of the conventional framework of time and space.
For example, the phenomenon of quantum entanglement demonstrates non-locality which is the ability for information to be transferred instantaneously from one location to another with no requirement for speed or acceleration along a vector. Unlike sound and radio waves or light, which all require a finite propagation time to travel from source to destination, entangled particles share a simultaneous state in which a change input to one will produce an effect output at the other at exactly the same time as the input. This property of the universe may someday explain phenomenon such as intuition, telepathy, and clairvoyance — all of which are under study to bring the scientific understanding of these concepts up to speed with what many of us laypeople already know as very real indeed.
Conclusion
While many of us may not really have a use for something as wild and interesting as quantum non-locality or the observer effect, it can be an interesting topic for thought experiments or discussion with friends.
For those who are genuinely interested in understanding these amazing properties of our universe and what they mean for us in everyday life beyond the applied science of fields such as quantum computing, it may be worth an occasional study and the testing of these effects with everyday objects and willing participants in our lives.
Common examples include a mother’s intuition being able to perceive danger within her children (a very well-accepted phenomena which has even been studied by the CIA) in addition to stories such as Rob Moog (founder of legendary Moog Synthesizers) claiming the ability to “see” the electrons directly within the copper traces of his inventions (which is difficult for anyone to argue with given that most of us are not capable of revolutionizing a field such as electronic music, and those who can would likely agree with him).
Who knows what practical applications may be available to someone determined to understand these concepts and apply them to life?
