Wigner's friend, Feynman's paths and material records

TL;DR

This paper discusses the Wigner's friend thought experiment, arguing that quantum theory can be consistent without invoking observer consciousness by focusing on material records of measurement outcomes.

Contribution

It demonstrates that quantum theory need not include observer consciousness, emphasizing the role of material records in measurement without inconsistency.

Findings

Quantum theory can exclude observer consciousness from its framework.

Material records suffice to account for measurement outcomes.

The Wigner's friend scenario does not necessarily imply inconsistency in quantum mechanics.

Abstract

The place and role of an Observer in quantum mechanics has been a subject of an ongoing debate since the theory's inception. Wigner brought this question to the fore in a celebrated scenario in which a super-Observer observes a Friend making a measurement. Here we briefly review why this \e{Wigner Friend scenario} has been taken to require the introduction of the Observer's consciousness, or alternatively to show the inconsistency of quantum measurement theory. We will argue that quantum theory can consistently leave observers outside its narrative, by making only minimal assumptions about how the information about the observed results is stored in material records.