The fact that a given thinker has great accomplishments does not prove him right. Einstein was wrong about the universe's beginning, and on philosophical grounds. Point cheerfully conceded.
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Your second paragraph: not sure what our disconnect is. You seem to be saying that the photons (e.g.) leave the same pattern on the second board whether observed or unobserved?
Situation 1: Fire the photons through a double-slit, get interference pattern.
Situation 2: Fire the photons though a double-slit with a measuring device that is now or later reviewed by a human, get double-bar pattern.
That is what all these interesting lay articles are discussing relative to the research that eminent scientists are performing: if the data is reviewed (later), the 2nd pattern seems to coalesce there. But that's a minor point. Those are the two distinct patterns I'm referring to.
Thanks Dr. K.