Part 4/9:
The so-called observer effect—a cornerstone of quantum mechanics—reveals how the act of observation can impact the state of a quantum system. In a paradigm where a particle exists in a superstate of possibilities until observed, Planck's reflection on the influence of consciousness becomes particularly intriguing. If consciousness can influence the behavior of matter at such an elemental level, might it be that consciousness is not merely a byproduct of matter? Could it instead be a foundational aspect of the universe itself?