It also implies a person observing, and physics was happening for billions of years before there was anything remotely fitting the description “observer”
No it does not imply that a person (or any animal species) even exists. It only implies the photons or particles required for the “observing”. You need to look into the physics of “observing”. No living being is required, only a particle interaction.
I mean the word’s common meaning. I understand the physics use of the word is not the same as the common word, that’s my point. The use of the word has caused enormous confusion with even some physicists claiming that human observers matter (presumably to reinforce religious beliefs)
A strictly scientific interpretation cannot lead to observation being by a human. There is no way however, to remove the interacting photon or particle from an act of observing. Physics is about using the minimum amount of symbols to express an idea and the same goes for “observing”. Analysis is welcome of course but not necessary in an introduction.
To a physicist, sure. To the lay public, observe means you’re watching it. If you’re looking away, you’re not observing. When in reality, it doesn’t matter who’s looking, if the particle is interacting with other particles, it’s being “observed”.
“Observe” implies interaction with a photon.
It also implies a person observing, and physics was happening for billions of years before there was anything remotely fitting the description “observer”
No it does not imply that a person (or any animal species) even exists. It only implies the photons or particles required for the “observing”. You need to look into the physics of “observing”. No living being is required, only a particle interaction.
I mean the word’s common meaning. I understand the physics use of the word is not the same as the common word, that’s my point. The use of the word has caused enormous confusion with even some physicists claiming that human observers matter (presumably to reinforce religious beliefs)
A strictly scientific interpretation cannot lead to observation being by a human. There is no way however, to remove the interacting photon or particle from an act of observing. Physics is about using the minimum amount of symbols to express an idea and the same goes for “observing”. Analysis is welcome of course but not necessary in an introduction.
To a physicist, sure. To the lay public, observe means you’re watching it. If you’re looking away, you’re not observing. When in reality, it doesn’t matter who’s looking, if the particle is interacting with other particles, it’s being “observed”.
Observing includes watching … and more! 😆