Talk:If a tree falls in a forest

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What, if anything, is the "origin" of this riddle? Someone should say if they know. --Lenoxus 03:00, 21 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Matrix

Why is The Matrix in the "See also" section? Is there a direct reference I'm failing to remember? -Phoenixrod 08:02, 5 March 2007 (UTC)

I'm removing it for now. Feel free to add it back in if it does relate. -Phoenixrod 08:04, 5 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] My best answer

My best answer is it depends on how you define sound. If sound = the variation of pressure that propagates through matter as a wave, then I think the answer is yes, a tree falling without an observer, will produce a variation of pressure that propagates through matter as a wave.

However, if you define "sound" as a perception by a sentient being, then, the it seems to me the answer is no, there was no sentient being who experienced the perception.

Is that good enough to be added to the article? Raymm 23:22, 11 March 2007 (UTC)

That's not the point of the riddle though, you're looking at it too literally 24.138.161.230 15:19, 15 March 2007 (UTC)

I wouldn't say you can look at any philosophical problem too literally. While I personally agree with this answer, as objection that can be raised against that first definition of sound: How do we know that the waves are produced? By definition, we can never totally know without observing, which violates the given "rules". — Lenoxus 21:24, 16 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Picture

It doesn't seem necessary, or at least logical to put a picture of a tree in this article. The riddle is rhetorical, its not actually about a tree. CanCanDuo 20:13, 13 March 2007 (UTC)