I have been thinking about this a bunch recently and researching it a bit, both without good effect

I mean the observer effect, not the towel. 

I could use a little guidance 

What counts as observation? How does it play out if you make a cat observe? A fly? A camcorder? Is the effect binary or can some kinds of weak observation create semi-wave-semi-particle behavior?

Assume I am clueless on the subject but will be able to carry myself forward with a curated list of articles or search terms

Always have a towel with you. If it doesn't save you from planet destroying aliens, it can at least start interesting conversations.