[Rebel_Ace]

"It is not that the act of observation that alters reality. In fact the physical nature of the "observation" small though it may be is sufficient to alter the metrics of sub atomic particles."

"...If someone can point out the practical difference between a physical act of observation and the fact that an observation has physical impact, I would appreciate it..."

Here is what I think he is trying to "split hairs" about if you will. Let's say I want to look at something with my eyes. Well, I am going to have to bounce a photon off it, so it can reflect into my eye. That is the "physical act".

Now, what I think he is trying to get at is the "metaphysical" aspect of "understanding" the observation.

It really is just the old "If a tree falls in the forest, and nobody is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" kind of thing.

I am NOT supporting his position, just trying to make sense of it. I am really more of an experiment and math guy.

[Durus]

I observe a baseball being thrown. The photons bouncing off of this object are the same photons that would be bouncing off the ball regardless of if I was watching the ball or not. Hence my observation or lack of observation does not effect the ball.

If a tree falls in the woods the mass of the tree will strike the ground causing noise, regardless of their being an observer there or not.