[longshadow]

All that is required to do this is an interaction whose outcome is dependent upon the QM state of the particle whose QM state is in question” (as longshadow has stated the issue). You’ve got to call it something, I guess.

Very good.

That's why I used that ackward construction in the first place -- precisely because it illustrates so well the necessity to assign "name" to it. "observer," "detector," or "zucchini" are all fine, as long as we ALL understand what it means in this context.

[betty boop]

Thank you, longshadow. You made me realize that the parties to this conservation were not all speaking of the same thing. There's an old New England proverb that states the best way to get a mule's attention is to whack him between the ears -- thwack!!! -- with a two-by-four. That zucchini business got my attention. Thanks for the thwack!