[unao]

Very interesting read indeed.

Not sure if observer is needed at all to have efficiently functioning system, though. Rather contrary: it _feels_ the impact of the observer on external world or even internal states is at most very limited, if not totally negligible.

Not sure as well if observer goes away in case of sleep or anesthesia. Maybe, just maybe the subcomponent responsible for forming memories is shut down and therefore there are no memories from that period. The observer could be still present, patiently observing the _void_ and/or snoring and/or _anything else_.

[raducu]

Or maybe there is no observer at all, the observer is just the way the brain coordinates/integrates all the rest of the sensations -- a sensation itself.