Observation

Introduction

Observation is the ability where one uses any of their five senses to in some way affect reality or phenomenon. In physics, the observer effect is the disturbance of an observed system by the act of observation. This is often the result of instruments that, by necessity, alter the state of what they measure in some manner. A common example is checking the pressure in an automobile tire; this is difficult to do without letting out some of the air, thus changing the pressure. Similarly, it is not possible to see any object without light hitting the object, and causing it to reflect that light. While the effects of observation are often negligible, the object still experiences a change. This effect can be found in many domains of physics, but can usually be reduced to insignificance by using different instruments or observation techniques.

An especially unusual version of the observer effect occurs in quantum mechanics, as best demonstrated by the double-slit experiment. Physicists have found that observation of quantum phenomena can change the measured results of this experiment. Despite the "observer effect" in the double-slit experiment being caused by the presence of an electronic detector, the experiment's results have been misinterpreted by some to suggest that a conscious mind can directly affect reality. The need for the "observer" to be conscious is not supported by scientific research and has been pointed out as a misconception rooted in a poor understanding of the quantum wave function ψ and the quantum measurement process.

This ability is a sub-ability of Perspective Manipulation, Subjective Reality, Quantum Manipulation, and Probability Manipulation. Due to its really specific nature, it was listed as its ability.

Unlike the other abilities, it's a sub-ability however, it has innate differences to warrant its page. For example, observation is one's perspective changing a situation, phenomenon, or even reality itself, however Perspective Manipulation is directly manipulating a perspective into something it's not. Subjective Reality is creating things from the imagination rather than directly changing reality from one's observation.

Types

Type 1: Quantum Observation: The observer effect is the fact that observing a situation or phenomenon necessarily changes it. Observer effects are especially prominent in physics where observation and uncertainty are fundamental aspects of modern quantum mechanics. This may be responsible for the widely held implicit assumption that “real” observer effects are exhibited only by quantum objects and not by classical objects.

• Examples: Everything in Real Life

Type 2: Unconscious Manifestation: This is for users that go beyond the standard interpretation of the observer effect. These users Unconsciously change reality through their beliefs. Normally this is an idea of one spreading rumors and ideas or concepts being changed or formed through those rumors.

• Examples: Characters from Chrono Cross, PSI Users from MOTHER, Characters from OFF

Type 3: Conscious Manifestation: This is for users that can consciously control reality through their views.

• Examples: Ness (MOTHER 2), The Messiahs (Shin Megami Tensei)

Possible Uses

• Erasure: One with higher tiered observation can deny the existence of someone, collapsing all the wave functions into a reality where the person doesn't exist.

• Reality Warping: One with higher tiered observation can change reality to their perspective.

• Transmutation: One with observation can transform another based on their beliefs of them.

Note: There is a similarly named ability from the Megami Tensei franchise that is based entirely on the observers' effect. For that page, click here.