Not really. Block entities (those with complex data, like inventories) can be read/interacted with by redstone (a regular-ish set of blocks in terms of data),

Not really. Block entities (those with complex data, like inventories) can be read/interacted with by redstone (a regular-ish set of blocks in terms of data), which can then trigger a piston or dispenser (which changes the world), and said piston or dispenser can then interact with the players movement, pushing them, or hitting them with an arrow, or dispensing water that changes their movement. Same again for non player entities, but also factor in their AI having to adjust pathing based on the world changing.