If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it does it make a sound??

Answer 1

OH MY GOSH MUDPUPPIE! THAT IS SO PROFOUND AND ORIGINAL! HOW IN THE WORLD DID YOU EVER MANAGE TO THINK THAT UP ALL BY YOURSELF??????? AMAZING!!! yawn.

Answer 2

This question is at the heart of the reality interpretation in quantum mechanics. The basic idea is that our experience of reality change it. Consequently if we do not experience it (or have conscience of it) it does not exist.

So the answer would be no the three does not make any sound, since nobody is there to experience it.

However, I believe that the problem is not correctly stated. In particular it relies on a very narrow interpretation of what is an experience (or worst conscience). It may be that what determines reality (reduces the wave packet) are the multiple physical interactions of a system with its environment. So reality would exist independently of my action on it. That is, it would exist even if no one would be there to experience it.

So the answer would be yes the three is making noise (and Schroedinger cat is dead in the box).

Note that this would be of greater importance if the reduction of the wave packet was connected to something fundamental, like an increase of entropy. Then this would definitely yield a proof of an independent reality (however, this is only speculative).

Answer 3

42

Answer 4

Yes, a sound is described as the transmission of vibrations. The movement of air is independent of the presence of a person.

Answer 5

Technically no because in order to have a sound it needs a noise and an ear to hear the noise.

Answer 6

Are we saying there are no animals/insects to hear it? Or are we so Sapien-centric that it must be a human in the forest????

Answer 7

Yah, it goes "Owowowow!", like Luigi in Mario Kart 64.

Answer 8

Was Schrodinger's cat dead before they opened the box?

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

yes