# If a tree falls in the forest.. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 21, 1999, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527 "1999-09-21T14:38:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DavidForster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/71e660/32.png) [@DavidForster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidForster)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 1999, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527/41 "1999-09-23T19:05:00Z")
Perhaps we can explicitly state the answer that was apparently being sought, thereby giving the poster what he sought and also exposing it to anyone who might not get it like everyone here obviously does, and then CLOSE this annoying little thread. The philosophical answer arrived at sometime in the Dark Ages (probably St. Augustine or someone of the sort): Yes, it makes a sound, 'cuz God heared it. * * * And in response to another thread, “Why feed trolls?” - because saying the monster’s True Name robs it of its power. ---
**Author:** ![Brother\_Haus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Brother\_Haus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brother_Haus)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 1999, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527/42 "1999-09-23T20:00:00Z")
Okay, _Rasputin_, I’ll play along: –Here I go uyhuuuhgmh[u6yhggfvrt 67y **I heard it, I heard it. Wooh!** Any other takers? Now, does anyone **actually** got to the forest to listen for trees to fall? * * * Confusious Say: -Man who stand on toilet, Is high on pot- ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 1999, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527/43 "1999-09-24T06:20:00Z")
If a freak trolls in a forum, does anyone read it? ---
**Author:** ![NanoByte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecc23a/32.png) [@NanoByte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NanoByte)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 1999, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527/44 "1999-09-24T07:30:00Z")
The answer to the OP as stated, of course, it depends on whether you use the _ **obj** _ective or _ **sub** _jective definition of the word ‘sound’. A decent dictionary gives both. Not even Physics 101 is required. But what _ **I** _ wanna know is, when a space probe falls into Mars, do Martians throw it back. . .or do the taxpayers throw out another ball? Also, when a thread gets totally unraveled, does it wear Nickrz? When a tree falls into the La Brea Tar Pits, does its hugger get preserved? Ray (Shshsh! I thought I herd something – there’s a whole wooly flock of 'em going over now. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. 12:29 am PST) ---
**Author:** ![PatrickM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7feea3/32.png) [@PatrickM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickM)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 1999, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527/45 "1999-09-24T19:24:00Z")
On the old TV show “Cheers” the bartender Coach said, “Well, if no one was there, how do you know the tree fell? Maybe some beavers set it down there.” I always liked that answer. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 1999, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527/46 "1999-09-24T22:53:00Z")
If a tree falls in the forest, & lands on C#3, how many posters’ hands will you hear clapping? * * * We have met the enemy, and He is Us.–Walt Kelly ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 1999, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527/47 "1999-09-25T01:36:00Z")
Ooh! Ooh! Mista Kotta! I can actually make quite a decent sound by clapping with one hand. (Even better than Bart Simpson could in that miniature golf episode.) * * * Visit the Internet Stellar Database at [www.stellar-database.com](http://www.stellar-database.com) ---
**Author:** ![TheRaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@TheRaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheRaven)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 1999, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527/48 "1999-09-25T02:18:00Z")
Somebody tell Jorge to shut the f\*\*\* up! ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 1999, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527/49 "1999-09-25T04:38:00Z")
Hmmm. I heard that. I didn’t understand it, but I heard it. -andros- * * * “Listen Children Eternal Father Eternally One!” Exceptions? None! -Doc Bronner ---
**Author:** ![Jorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@Jorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jorge)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 1999, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527/50 "1999-09-25T06:24:00Z")
Nevermore. ---
**Author:** ![Momotaro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Momotaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Momotaro)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 1999, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527/51 "1999-09-25T07:19:00Z")
Define sound. Then can you answer the question. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 1999, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527/52 "1999-09-25T20:50:00Z")
Define _Troll_ and you don’t have to answer. ---
**Author:** ![neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ab097/32.png) [@neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neuro-trash_grrrl)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 1999, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527/53 "1999-09-29T05:17:00Z")
If a tree falls on Palidors, does anybody care? Clue you in on a little secret, Pally. If you know the answer, you’ve missed the point. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 1999, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527/54 "1999-09-29T05:35:00Z")
If Palidors and c#3 climb a tree,we’ll all be happy * * * Pick your neighbors nose-Lenny Bruce. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/3527.md?page=2)