I will give a simple example. So simple that it may seem absurd, but it is a valid example.
Suppose a ball is rolling towards an certain inanimate object X. Given sufficient information, a physicist can tell you exactly what will happen upon impact. Relevant information include:
1. the speed of the ball
2. the distance between ball and X
3. the co-efficient of friction between ball and floor
4. the mass of the ball
5. the mass of object X
6. the co-efficient of friction between X and floor
7. air resistance
8. the shape of X, etc etc.
In other words, given enough information, a physicist can tell you whether the ball will bounce off X, or X will be knocked over, or X will be pushed 10 centimeters 30 degrees to the left in a particular direction, or the ball's direction will be changed to 20 degrees to the right etc etc.
All of the above can be determined by slotting the relevant information into the relevant scientific equations.
Once consciousness enters into the scenario, however, the physicist becomes quite helpless. For example suppose X was not an inanimate object, but a conscious eight-year-old boy named Tim Brownson.
Tim Brownson's mind cannot be scientifically studied. Therefore the effect of his consciousness on reality, cannot be scientifically predicted. There is simply no known equation to predict what might happen next.
Tim might jump over the ball. Tim might step to the side, and let the ball roll by. Tim might kick the ball, as it approaches. Tim might stand still, and allow the ball to hit him and bounce off. Tim might stretch out two hands, catch the ball, put it into a plastic bag and walk off.
In each scenario, the ensuing reality will be different. However, the scientists are essentially helpless. Since Tim's consciousness cannot be slotted into any scientific equation involving base units, scientists cannot know how his consciousness will affect reality.
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