Who was the observer for the first 10 billion years?

[newrd]

If reality requires an observer, and life on Earth is only 3.8 billion years old- yet the universe is 13.8 billion years old, who was the observer for the first 10 billion years?

 

[axmls]

Reality does not require an observer.

 

[newrd]

So when we say "A particle has neither a definite position nor a definite velocity unless and until those quantities are measured by an observer" it doesn't mean for reality in general- just specific particles?

 

[Vanadium 50]

So when we say

In the words of Tonto, "What you mean we?" I have never said such a thing, because it's not correct. A human observer is not required.

 

[newrd]

In the words of Tonto, "What you mean we?" I have never said such a thing, because it's not correct. A human observer is not required.

Ahh ok, I got the quote from a Stephen Hawking book, I thought it may just be the generally agreed upon stance?

 

[newrd]

In the words of Tonto, "What you mean we?" I have never said such a thing, because it's not correct. A human observer is not required.

Ohh yeah- and I never said human ;)

 

[PeterDonis]

when we say "A particle has neither a definite position nor a definite velocity unless and until those quantities are measured by an observer"

Then we are talking about quantum mechanics, not cosmology, and you should spend some time actually learning QM from a textbook.

I got the quote from a Stephen Hawking book

Which, since I'm assuming it was a pop science book (because Hawking doesn't say anything like this in any actual peer-reviewed literature), is not an acceptable source when you want to discuss the actual science. Thread closed.