But consider the "monkeycide paradox". If we start a nuclear war, and kill every single primate on the planet, does the universe cease to exist? Does time start

But consider the "monkeycide paradox". If we start a nuclear war, and kill every single primate on the planet, does the universe cease to exist? Does time start running in reverse? Maybe time would go back to before we nuked everyone out of existence, and life would be like one of those endless time loop anime? Will matter start spewing out of black holes instead of going in because there was no monkey there to watch it? Would it be enough if a dog observed the universe? (they're "like our family" after all) or a squid? What about a yeast cell? Obviously this is hyperbole 8-) but I think the point is clear. If anyone really believes that the existence of primate life on our little planet "observing the universe" is what makes all physical processes advance, they have some serious issues of overcharged ego. Of course a theory doesn't have to be completely correct to be useful. Old ideas of heat as a fluid have been supplanted, but they still helped design working systems in their time. Modern ideas of quantum mechanics, as incomplete as they are, still model a concept of "tunneling" that's sufficiently accurate to make semiconductors work. Or, you can just run with the Rovelli quote from the article: “What they’re telling me is bullshit” 8-)