Many people ask whether an observer causes quantum collapse. The opposite and equally valid question is whether quantum collapse causes consciousness - i.e. an observer. If there were such an interplay it would explain the existence of the universe. This is due to the fact that anything that comes into existence together with its cause is allowed. Quantum collapse is the cause of the universe - a definite state derived from the priors (the previous state of the universe). If there are no priors then the next state can be anything - which includes a universe.