A philosophical thought.

[Garmard]

Where did the saying "If a tree falls in the forest, if no one's around, does it make a sound?" derive.
All very profound and Buddhist?

[Prudie]

I thought the point of the original question is if there's nothing around, no humans, no animals, nothing with ears and no recording equipment does it make a sound. That can't be proved. Sound is caused by the receiver .

[Garmard]

No!

[mazie]

If they could speak no doubt they would tell us if the tree made a sound. But if you dont hear it, it doesnt make a sound. It's very simple, but complex at the same time.

[dr b]

many big philosophical words used here:

http://en.wikipedia.o...ree_falls_in_a_forest

[Woody23]

Why would the tree fall?

[Garmard]

Exactly mazie.

[dr b]

And of course it depends on how you are defining "a sound". Is a sound just the existence of sounds waves? or is it the perception in one's brain when those waves hit your eardrums?

[joeluke]

So if an exocet missile landed in the same forest that wouldn't make a sound either?

Methinks it might

[Garmard]

Begs the question of our own existive plain though?

[Garmard]

How do we know that missile would create the noise though?

[mazie]

Trees rot and age and get disease and they fall. But..do they make a sound in an empty forest when no-one is around to hear them? Does Childbirth hurt? not if you're the one that's not giving birth. It's deep and I'm off the bed.

(ps. I hope you dont all hear me snoring xxx)

[Garmard]

Let's hope not eh?

[Garmard]

I think anyone would, in mids*** or otherwise!

[joeluke]

but which bear are you meaning?

Daddy Bear, Mummy Bear or Baby Bear?

and where's Goldilocks? Didn't she hear the tree fall either?

[tastymorsel]

Would the bear use the rabbit to wipe its ar5e ???