[Mr. Nobody]

The thing is connected to a society of observers. As the society evolves into a global society, the perception will merge into one. Until then, we have wars and great misunderstandings because we still come from different "isolated" pockets that see things differently.
I have wrestled with your first assumption for a long time. Does a "thing" trule have reality before it is perceived by an observer (anything that recognizes an environment and interacts with it), or do things exist as waves until defined by the brain. In other words, can the uncertainty principle be applied at the macroscopic scale, even when decoherance forces a more definitive view? Are things only interacting waves of matter/energy until consciousness interpretes them in accordance with experience? Look at your key board for instance. In the microscope, it is basically emtpy space and what we view as solid is electromagnetic forces reflecting each other.
So what is a thing if there is no one there to see it? Only a potential for something, a wondering propability distribution of something.

It is a known fact that the American Indians never "saw" Columbus's ships on the horizon (since that perception was not part of their past experience). Only until inexplicable waves were crashing on the shores were the natives able to open their eyes wide enough to perceive the "alien" from the other side of the world. But then it was too late.
That is, by the way, one reason why I think we have not found extraterrestrial intelligence. They may sit right next to you, but since we do not share the same "upbringing" we cannot "see" them yet.