So the split does not happen only when we observe it, but that does not really matter too much.
If the split doesn't matter to any being in this universe, it doesn't happen.
There is not an infinite amount of universes, there are a finite number of them, just like there is a finite number of atoms. Every one of them is known.
The choice between whether or not there is a split in the universe is whether the self reflective entity wish to explore the possibility. And many choices create no changes in the future.
Wow. Very interesting. What about collective conciousness and the mandela effect?
The collective conciousness doesn't really exist. Just like a crowd of people, or an ocean wave doesn't really exist. One being a collection of people, but there is nothing about any person that says they are a member of that crowd. There is a collective focussing on the same reality set that allows us all to interact in that reality set. And that requires a lot of working together on higher levels for it to work. But, there is really no collective conciousness.
The mandela effect is artifacts from several universes being merged into one.
They are usually not as prevalent as they are today. I feel they are so prevalent to help people get out of the old "science" mindset that the past is a fixed thing, and people just remember it wrong.
Wow. Great eau of looking at it. Thanks. :). Joy