Consciousness Does Not Cause the Quantum Zeno Effect

Does consciousness influence an object? There is a major misconception in the public regarding this, known as the "Quantum Zeno Effect." This is a phenomenon where the motion of a quantum system freezes and stops when it is continuously measured. This Quantum Zeno Effect itself has already been confirmed in many experiments. However, it is a mistake to interpret this effect as "consciousness simply staring at an object causes the object's motion to freeze." In the Quantum Zeno Effect confirmed by experiments, it is necessary to strike the object with something, such as light, as part of the measurement process in order to observe the target system. In other words, the object's original motion is being obstructed by the measuring device itself. However, if consciousness continues to indirectly observe signals naturally emitted from an object from the outside, no change occurs in the motion of the target system.

If the motion of an object were to freeze simply by staring at it, the following paradox would occur regarding Schrödinger's cat (or "Schro-cat" for short). The standard thought experiment of the Schro-cat involves gamma rays emitted from an unstable atom entering a measuring device; the moment the gamma rays are detected, the machine automatically destroys a vial containing poison, placing the living cat nearby into a quantum superposition of being both alive and dead.

In addition to the standard Schro-cat setup, if the owner were to frequently peek through the laboratory window to check the cat's status, that would also constitute a continuous measurement of whether the unstable atom had decayed or not. Therefore, the motion of this atom might be frozen by the Quantum Zeno Effect, preventing it from emitting gamma rays. If so, the cat might not end up in a quantum superposition of life and death, but might instead remain alive forever. In other words, saving the Schro-cat might be achieved simply by continuing to stare at it.

However, in reality, such a result does not occur.
If you properly solve the equations of quantum mechanics, it is proven that this does not happen and the motion of the unstable atom does not freeze. Under the very natural condition of unidirectional dynamics, the Quantum Zeno Effect generally does not occur even if continuous indirect measurements are performed.
(This proof can be found in Chapter 5 of 'Physics of Quantum Information and Spacetime [2nd Edition]' (Science-sha).)

Through the act of "staring," the owner's consciousness does not influence the motion of the unstable atom or the Schro-cat. The Quantum Zeno Effect only occurs by striking the object with something for observation from the outside (adding an interaction). Without adding measurement interactions from the outside, nothing particularly unusual happens.

This Quantum Zeno Effect is also important in thought experiments considering two quantum AIs that have acquired consciousness. Cosmologist Max Tegmark discussed the possibility that if two quantum AIs began to converse, they would continuously measure each other, causing the Quantum Zeno Effect, and eventually both would stop functioning. However, if the setup is "passively continuing to stare at the other AI," such a thing would not happen. Furthermore, even if we humans stare intently at other people, who are also quantum macro-systems, we do not freeze their motion through the Quantum Zeno Effect.

The fact that an observer with classical consciousness does not disturb the motion of a quantum target system even if they continue to observe it continuously and indirectly is, in fact, an important premise for the system of empirical science known as quantum mechanics to hold together without contradiction, and is therefore very significant.