Ok. A famous philosophical question. One that I think can shed some light on the subject of consciousness and perceiving our world of manifestations. "If a tree falls in a forest and there is no one around, does it make a sound?" I personaly say that there is no sound until the vibrations hit upon eardrums and those vibrations are received and then perceived. Until then, sound doesn't exist but only in a vibratory form. Even if there was a recording device. The vibrations of the tree falling act upon the recording device and then those vibrations are played back until they hit upon someones eardrums and received then perceived. In manifesting our world. Its all about perceiving and becoming counsciously aware of those things that we want in our lives. This goes for all of our senses. Any comments?
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The question has been closed for the following reason "exact duplicate" by John Sheridan 16 Apr '10, 19:26

Sound is a perceptual phenomenon. Sound waves, on the other hand... But, without an observer, does even the presence of sound waves matter? This is similar to the question, "Can you prove that matter exists?" We must exist first in order to provide the proof. In other words, the scientific method (hypothesize, experiment, observe, predict) cannot take place unless we are here to perform the analysis. This is another way of saying, "In order for sound waves to be meaningful, they must make some sort of change [to the surrounding environment]," a change that preferably can be discerned by a conscious observer who can contemplate the change. Carl Sagan once said, "Life is the way the universe experiences itself." I agree. Since we are observers, sound waves does matter. Maybe not the sound waves of a tree falling, but the sound waves of beautiful music or the sounds of nature providing a sense of joy. I also need to remind myself, it is the vibratory waves that resonate and produce harmonious or discordant conditions.
(14 Apr '10, 03:25)
RPuls
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If there is no one to hear that the tree fell, how do you know that the tree fell? Why is man the measure of what happens in nature, OK, believe that if no one was there to witness a happening then it just didn't happen. This is a very old 'Zen' question, designed to help us evolve. Years ago my answer was: I don't know the answer. Now it makes sense that if no one is around to hear the sound, then there's no evidence of any sound, so the question becomes a purely academic moot point.
(16 Apr '10, 01:44)
Eddie
This was my whole point. What actually happens vs. what we realize. What is important in manifesting our world is what we realize or become conscious of. When manifesting we want to realize those things we want in our lives.
(16 Apr '10, 09:32)
RPuls
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It makes no sound because it does not happen. It only happens when it is observed in realtime or recorded perhaps by video. Its all explained in quantum physics. All you see only happens when observed by the observer whether in realtime or pasttense. In essence you what you see and observe is created by the observer. Now the big question is how do you control what you are creating? Show me the formula that really works, screw the flowers and philosophy. I can see you have studied about quantum physics but haven't a lot of experience with hiking. When I go through the woods there are trees that have already fallen down and I wasn't there to observe them falling down. Anyway I answered this question before in the original question. But this is an interesting answer you have though.
(06 Jun '10, 05:20)
Wade Casaldi
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It makes a sound. Though it can not be proven, statistically speaking the odds are extremely favored for this activity creating many sounds as the tree hits the ground and many animals scatter from that sound. The effects of many sounds from the Forrest can be observed without the witness of a human observer to prove the original sound took place. I couldn't resist :) |
Yes, but you were not there physically to hear the sound, but it did make a sound, and whatever else was present at the time heard the sound of the falling tree. The sound was heard by nature and the universe, the one, and same energy that we are all a part of! The point is there is no exixtence of sound vibration when a tree falls until something becomes aware of it.
(22 Jan '11, 10:44)
RPuls
@RPuls: That is quite an interesting observation, and I understand your point!
(23 Jan '11, 06:10)
Inactive User ♦♦
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imagine a world where humans do not exist and the tree falls down , there are many other forms of life on earth ( animals in particular ) that are sensitive to sound , the sound was heard by the whole of nature as says vee . |
yes it does make a sound the fact that you ask the question means that someone observe or know about it or is aware. and even if no one is there it still makes a sound. even if the person is not there to listen to it. if the question is that the person being not their will not ear it in that case yes. but even then he could find away to listen to it if he set is mind on it. experience and enjoy. |

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I think this is a duplicate question RPuls - you might want to look at some of the answers here - http://www.inwardquest.com/questions/1744/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-woods
Thank You Michaela, I realized it after I submitted. However, I am trying to relate how this question is imprtant to the process of manifestation. Actually perceiving that which we want manifested. Or how the vibratory waves of sound resonate with other vibratory waves and create harmonious or discordant conditions.
I believe the answer is YES because it is not about "Hearing the sound" it is about "Making the sound" and the event of falling does trigger the event of sound, even though you maybe deaf.