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Does That Really Happen?

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Does That Really Happen?

from JoeUser Forums
Ok, this is just on the top of my mind. But I've been wondering. ........

Lets say if a tree falls in the forest. Ok, now that you got that down.......

If it falls and nobody is around to hear it fall, does it really make any noise. Or what does it do? I've always wondered that.

Do I sound stupid asking this or what?

So really if something happens is there a noise that comes from it? I don't even know. Just pondering.

~carebear~
5,583 views 40 replies
Reply #26 from JoeUser Forums Top
Yes, but what I'm trying to say is.....if a tree falls and nobody is there then how could you possible know if there's a sound or not? See you wouldn't because you weren't there. And of course if you put a tape recorder you're going to here a sound. That is because the recorder can pick up the sound waves. But if there was no tape recorder there, then would you have a sound? That's what I meant. So no tape recorder and no body there. See we don't know that.

~carebear~
Reply #27 from JoeUser Forums Top
Yes, but what I'm trying to say is.....if a tree falls and nobody is there then how could you possible know if there's a sound or not? See you wouldn't because you weren't there. And of course if you put a tape recorder you're going to here a sound. That is because the recorder can pick up the sound waves. But if there was no tape recorder there, then would you have a sound? That's what I meant. So no tape recorder and no body there. See we don't know that.


That's a very ego-conscious view of the world---"because I am not present, it didn't happen." Simply because no one is there to capture the sound does not mean it did not occur.

Besides that--Gene is right.
Star Control: Origins
Reply #28 from JoeUser Forums Top
Wait, doesn't quantum theory and such actually state that if something is not observed, then it doesn't exist? Not just "no one heard it" or "we can never know"....if no one observes a tree falling in the forest, it didn't fall.

If someone were to come upon that fallen tree (which never fell, mind you) walking through the forest, though, then the fallen tree would immediately begin to exist, due to the overwhelming probability that it should have fallen.

No, I'm not making this stuff up.
Reply #29 from JoeUser Forums Top
Daggonit, I keep forgetting. That previous comment, as well as this one, were made by "cyphr", not "apdelong31". Duly note this in your records.
Reply #30 from JoeUser Forums Top

It makes a vibration....a noise(sound) is interpreted by the brain....so in fact it doesn't make a sound. Actually if no one is around, then it doesn't exist....the universe or reality(Your personal reality) is only "real" to you if you're there to observe it.


Actually, you got it backwards, zoo. It makes a sound, because it DOES produce sound waves. But, "Noise" is the interpretation of sound by the hearer.


So, in other words, it doesn't make a "noise" but it DOES make a "sound"

Reply #31 from JoeUser Forums Top
Why are we all getting so interested in this nearly pointless question with an easily proven and obvious answer?
Reply #32 from JoeUser Forums Top
Wait, doesn't quantum theory and such actually state that if something is not observed, then it doesn't exist? Not just "no one heard it" or "we can never know"....if no one observes a tree falling in the forest, it didn't fall. If someone were to come upon that fallen tree (which never fell, mind you) walking through the forest, though, then the fallen tree would immediately begin to exist, due to the overwhelming probability that it should have fallen.No, I'm not making this stuff up.


Thank you Alan...that's exactly what I was trying to say...

~Zoo
Reply #33 from JoeUser Forums Top
Ah, but if you really think about the fact that there is some creature, everywhere, all the time, some creature either heard the noise or felt the sound. I suppose the question would be better, if a computer crashed in an electrostactic safe room with (bla bla bla) to keep insects, germs, etc. out and everyone went home for the night, did it make a sound? K, just a stupid thought, since it would be virtually impossible to keep all bactirium out of any space, and hense something would know if the sound waves were made, and just not able to discuss this matter with us.

oh, and I can clap with one hand, it not very loud though
Reply #34 from JoeUser Forums Top
Why are we all getting so interested in this nearly pointless question with an easily proven and obvious answer?


Why not. For me it is more intresting than politics and it seems to be a well formed discusion with no name calling, put downs, etc. I am enjoying this conversation.
Reply #35 from JoeUser Forums Top
May I jump in a slightly different direction now? What if you were def but you caught the vibrations in the ground from the impact. It fell then, right? Now, I'm going to have to say that it made a noise even though this poor dude didn't hear it. It's not his fault the sound waves didn't make an impact.

You might see a wave in the ocean but just because you didn't feel it you can't really say there is no wave can you? I mean, just because one or two senses don't get the effect couldn't another one catch it and make the event real?

Capt. over and out!
Reply #36 from JoeUser Forums Top
You might see a wave in the ocean but just because you didn't feel it you can't really say there is no wave can you? I mean, just because one or two senses don't get the effect couldn't another one catch it and make the event real?


If one sense picks it up it's real, it doesn't have to be all senses. Just one or two to detect something and be sure it happened.

~Zoo
Reply #37 from JoeUser Forums Top

You're just supposed to ponder them and thereby expand your mind. Like Buddhist koans, they're for consciousness expansion.


Exactly. Finally, a voice of reason....


The rest of you all sound like Dustin Hoffman's character reciting the 'Who's on first' skit from 'Rainman'....it's not a riddle, there is no definitive answer, it's just a question to meditate on, ponder, and expand your mindset a little.

Reply #38 from JoeUser Forums Top
If one sense picks it up it's real, it doesn't have to be all senses. Just one or two to detect something and be sure it happened.


Then that answers the question, because there is always something alive that will feel/see/hear the tree falling. Be it germs, bugs, wildlife or humans. Just because we can't communicate with them, don't mean they didn't experiance the tree falling.
Reply #39 from JoeUser Forums Top
So, we win? Yay!

Capt. over and out!
Reply #40 from JoeUser Forums Top
Then that answers the question, because there is always something alive that will feel/see/hear the tree falling. Be it germs, bugs, wildlife or humans. Just because we can't communicate with them, don't mean they didn't experiance the tree falling.


Heh, you know, I really never thought about the bugs or anything else for that matter. So I guess if a tree did fall then the bugs would've heard it.

Wait, doesn't quantum theory and such actually state that if something is not observed, then it doesn't exist? Not just "no one heard it" or "we can never know"....if no one observes a tree falling in the forest, it didn't fall.

If someone were to come upon that fallen tree (which never fell, mind you) walking through the forest, though, then the fallen tree would immediately begin to exist, due to the overwhelming probability that it should have fallen.


This makes a whole lot of sense Alan. I guess that's what Shaun and I were trying to say the whole time. Thank God for smarty pants like yourself. lol.


Why not. For me it is more intresting than politics and it seems to be a well formed discusion with no name calling, put downs, etc. I am enjoying this conversation.


Wow! I haven't had a comment like that for a long time.

So, we win? Yay!


Yes, I guess you do win.

~carebear~