 If A Tree Falls In The Woods, And there's nothing around to hear it... |
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 Apr 26 2004, 11:46 PM
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#1
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 Worrying  Group: New Members Posts: 134 Joined: 18-February 04 From: Kentucky, USA Member No.: 953  |
Alright, here's an age old question that may have had its own thread here before, so if it has, just please pardon me and pretend this thread never happened.
But anyways, hypothetically, if a tree falls in the woods, and there is absolutely nothing (including humans, squirrels, moose, ocelots, the woods are completely barren for the purpose of this question) around to hear it fall, does the tree make a sound? Sound is defined at www.m-w.com as "a particular auditory impression" and "the sensation perceived by the sense of hearing". So, this leads one to believe that sound is only the impression sound waves make on one's ear. If there is no ear to receive the sound waves, there is no sound, because the sound is perceived by no one. However, the third definition of sound is "mechanical radiant energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a material medium (as air) and is the objective cause of hearing". This definition seems to say that there can be sound as long as there is a medium through which it can travel, even if nothing hears this sound. So, sound waves and sound are essentially the same thing. Well, what do you think? -------------------- Kamaradi.
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Apr 27 2004, 12:09 AM
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#2
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 never enough yaoi in the world... Group: New Members Posts: 233 Joined: 10-December 03 From: Manitoba Member No.: 783 |
Yep, I would say it makes a sound even if nothing hears it, referring to the last definition in your post.
spam/ My friend got a birthday card from her cool parents that says "If a tree falls in the woods, then springs back upright as a joke, do the squirrels freak out?" sorry 'bout the spammy spam! |
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Apr 27 2004, 12:11 AM
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#3
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 Is conformity, consumption, and obedience really that bad? Group: New Members Posts: 1,788 Joined: 10-October 03 Member No.: 644 |
The tree would create vibrations. Sound is the mutation of vibrations into audible information. If no one were there, vibrations would be, but sound would not.
-------------------- Still around, just lurking.
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Apr 27 2004, 12:55 AM
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#4
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 Rabid Saskatchewanian Group: Established Members Posts: 1,026 Joined: 2-December 03 Member No.: 752 Gender: Male |
QUOTE (Sir Maxerpopple @ Apr 26 2004, 06:10 PM) The tree would create vibrations. Sound is the mutation of vibrations into audible information. If no one were there, vibrations would be, but sound would not. Nah. The sound *is* the vibration. You're talking about the perception of the sound, which I would argue is your brain interpretting the sound, but the sound is the vibration. -------------------- At the Left Hand of God
OMFG STEAM R0X0RZ TEH BIG ONE111! Thou shalt not lie with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination. Thou shalt do it standing up. Dominating Aries, e-hubby, since 2004. |
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Apr 27 2004, 04:24 PM
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#5
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 Bleeg? Group: New Members Posts: 374 Joined: 21-March 04 From: OH MY GOD WHERE AM I?!?!?! Member No.: 1,021 |
Yes, it still makes a sound because it makes soundwaves, even if nothing is there to hear them. That's my opinion.
If you don't hear it, does it matter? Who cares? it's just a tree! -------------------- >(|||> Pround owner of the Uber-carrot! Ph34r it! Come closer. . . so I can slap the sh*t out of you! . . . do I LOOK like a friggin people person? Bumper stickers are so lame. . . Bumper STICKS are where it's at! You should duct tape a stick to your bumper and be like me!
. . . I'm hearing voices but all they do is complain. . . What if I had a mustard-drenched cucumber tied to my leg and I did not want my pants to get dirty? Ya better checkety-check yourself before ya wreckety-wreck yourself! Once you finally create something original, someone comes along and steals it. . . not to say that's a BAD thing. . . |
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Apr 27 2004, 04:35 PM
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#6
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 Remorseless posting machine Group: Moderators Posts: 5,749 Joined: 19-July 03 From: Bloody London Member No.: 466 Gender: Male |
It's been asked a few times, but the one to which I gave the most comprehensive reply is here.
-------------------- Every sort of expert knowledge and every inquiry, and similarly every action and undertaking, seems to seek some good. Because of that, people are right to affirm that the good is 'that which all things seek'...
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Apr 28 2004, 03:04 AM
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 ... Group: Established Members Posts: 750 Joined: 2-October 03 From: In front of a computer, duh. Member No.: 618 Gender: Male |
in the words of Wierd Al... "YES, If it's a really LOUD tree!
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Apr 28 2004, 10:35 AM
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#8
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 Advanced Member Group: New Members Posts: 31 Joined: 16-July 03 From: In the Toilet. Member No.: 457 |
I think I'm very confused all of a sudden.
-------------------- <CENTER>
I Guess no-one likes My siggy pic's :( Voltage Forums . Pimp City . New Era . The Big Board ALL MY LIFE I WANTED TO BE SOMEONE... GUESS I SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE SPECIFIC </CENTER> |
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Apr 28 2004, 11:28 AM
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#9
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Technically a giant, intellectual midget. Group: Established Members Posts: 4,319 Joined: 29-March 03 From: Enger-land Member No.: 197 Gender: Transgender |
Technically yes, when the tree falls it displaces the air, which still has the potential to be percieved as sound reguardless of whether someone/thing is there to hear it or not.
The real question is, If a tree falls in the forest, do all the other trees point and laugh? -------------------- He's a freak of nature, but we love him so.
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Apr 28 2004, 12:48 PM
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#10
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 Has too much time on their hands Group: New Members Posts: 388 Joined: 26-August 03 From: Singapore Member No.: 560 |
Or, to quote The Far Side: If a tree falls in the forest and hits a mime, does anyone care?
-------------------- |
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Apr 28 2004, 05:50 PM
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#11
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Remorseless posting machine Group: Moderators Posts: 5,749 Joined: 19-July 03 From: Bloody London Member No.: 466 Gender: Male |
I really don't like this question.
If you consider "sound" to be the vibration of particles in waves, yes, it makes a sound. If you consider "sound" to be the sense-data that your brain interprets, no, it does not. The question always devolves to: "No, sound is vibrating particles!" "No, sound is sense-data!" Endlessly. Without anybody giving an argument for either one, just restating their position over and over. -------------------- Every sort of expert knowledge and every inquiry, and similarly every action and undertaking, seems to seek some good. Because of that, people are right to affirm that the good is 'that which all things seek'...
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Apr 28 2004, 06:37 PM
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#12
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Technically a giant, intellectual midget. Group: Established Members Posts: 4,319 Joined: 29-March 03 From: Enger-land Member No.: 197 Gender: Transgender |
Almost like pantomime...
-------------------- He's a freak of nature, but we love him so.
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Apr 28 2004, 06:38 PM
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#13
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Engrish Ranguage Student Group: Established Members Posts: 3,363 Joined: 27-May 03 From: Tamworth Member No.: 338 Gender: Female |
Oh no its not.....
-------------------- Go Go Gadget WeeJ!
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Apr 28 2004, 06:38 PM
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#14
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Technically a giant, intellectual midget. Group: Established Members Posts: 4,319 Joined: 29-March 03 From: Enger-land Member No.: 197 Gender: Transgender |
oh yes it is!
 
-------------------- He's a freak of nature, but we love him so.
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Apr 28 2004, 07:31 PM
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#15
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Engrish Ranguage Student Group: Established Members Posts: 3,363 Joined: 27-May 03 From: Tamworth Member No.: 338 Gender: Female |
The tree's behind you!!!
-------------------- Go Go Gadget WeeJ!
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