im not here to flame anyone but.... you guys are seriously going around in circles.

its all about EXPERIENCE.

if someone asks you to observe a tree falling down 1,000 miles away. it will be impossible to experience it thus making it, in a sense, non-existant in your reality though you might have some sort of an idea of how a tree would sound falling.

NOW.

if someone asks you to observe a tree falling down 1,000 miles away but this time you have measuring devices (camera, sound equiptment ex. satelite) then you are experiencing a tree falling down thus making the whole scene existant (in a very shallow sense). because you are observing it and the tree falling.

same thing can be said if someone asks you to observe a tree falling down at 25 ft away compared to 25 miles away.
a tree falling down 25 miles away is impossible to be observed thus making it non-existant in your reality UNLESS you have proper equiptment to observe it falling.

i still do think, after all this, that the tree still falls and makes a sound but trees dont have ears and animals living near a tree really dont give a f*ck about this age old question. all they really care about is moving out of the way so they wont get crushed.

just found this!

According to The Copenhagen Interpretation of Professor Neils Bohr sub-atomic particles only exist when they are observed. According to The Many Worlds Interpretation of Dr Hugh Everett the only rational explanation for the behaviour of these particles is that the universe splits into identical copies of itself thousands of times a second. According to The Implicate Order of Professor David Bohm every particle in the universe is entangled and part of every other. If these three alternative theories of quantum physics are considered to be complementary rather than conflicting then the above scenario is a viable explanation of the riddle of conscious experience.

Sound is very simple...sound waves. It makes a sound whether someone is there to hear it or not. This question is really quite stupid when people try to get philosophical about it, but the fact is the sound waves are created and there is sound.

There is the potential for the sound to be heard. but if no-one is there then the potential is UN-manifest ; no sound. Read my previsous posting concerning radio waves and Rainbows?

just found this!

According to The Copenhagen Interpretation of Professor Neils Bohr sub-atomic particles only exist when they are observed. According to The Many Worlds Interpretation of Dr Hugh Everett the only rational explanation for the behaviour of these particles is that the universe splits into identical copies of itself thousands of times a second. According to The Implicate Order of Professor David Bohm every particle in the universe is entangled and part of every other. If these three alternative theories of quantum physics are considered to be complementary rather than conflicting then the above scenario is a viable explanation of the riddle of conscious experience.

OMSHANTI,

The Copenhagen Interpretation states nothing about the existence or non-existence of elementary particles. It is about the quantum states of particles and the effect of superposition on the observed state. Also, none of these are actually 'theories of quantum physics', but ideas. They are inherently untestable and unverifiable (afaik) and so cannot be theories...perhaps a little pedantic to point that out, but it is important in the context of scientific theory.

Sorry to the OP for going off-topic.

LEONARDO,
thank you for that clarification. I was attempting to make a connection between the observer and the effect observation might have have on what was being observed. What are you thoughts on my ramblings previously on Rainbows? I would be interested to hear them.
cheers.

1. the sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of hearing by vibrations transmitted through the air or other medium.
2. mechanical vibrations transmitted through an elastic medium, traveling in air at a speed of approximately 1087 ft. (331 m) per second at sea level.
3. the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause: the sound of music.
4. any auditory effect; any audible vibrational disturbance: all kinds of sounds.
5. a noise, vocal utterance, musical tone, or the like: the sounds from the next room.
6. a distinctive, characteristic, or recognizable musical style, as from a particular performer, orchestra, or type of arrangement: the big-band sound.
7. Phonetics.
a. speech sound.
b. the audible result of an utterance or portion of an utterance: the s-sound in “slight”; the sound of m in “mere.”
8. the auditory effect of sound waves as transmitted or recorded by a particular system of sound reproduction: the sound of a stereophonic recording.
9. the quality of an event, letter, etc., as it affects a person: This report has a bad sound.
10. the distance within which the noise of something may be heard.
11. mere noise, without meaning: all sound and fury.
12. Archaic. a report or rumor; news; tidings.
–verb (used without object)
13. to make or emit a sound.
14. to give forth a sound as a call or summons: The bugle sounded as the troops advanced.
15. to be heard, as a sound.
16. to convey a certain impression when heard or read: to sound strange.
17. to give a specific sound: to sound loud.
18. to give the appearance of being; seem: The report sounds true.
19. Law. to have as its basis or foundation (usually fol. by in): His action sounds in contract.
–verb (used with object)
20. to cause to make or emit a sound: to sound a bell.
21. to give forth (a sound): The oboe sounded an A.
22. to announce, order, or direct by or as by a sound: The bugle sounded retreat. His speech sounded a warning to aggressor nations.
23. to utter audibly, pronounce, or express: to sound each letter.
24. to examine by percussion or auscultation: to sound a patient's chest.

1. something that makes things visible or affords illumination: All colors depend on light.
2. Physics.
a. Also called luminous energy, radiant energy. electromagnetic radiation to which the organs of sight react, ranging in wavelength from about 400 to 700 nm and propagated at a speed of 186,282 mi./sec (299,972 km/sec), considered variously as a wave, corpuscular, or quantum phenomenon.
b. a similar form of radiant energy that does not affect the retina, as ultraviolet or infrared rays.
3. the sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of sight.
4. an illuminating agent or source, as the sun, a lamp, or a beacon.
5. the radiance or illumination from a particular source: the light of a candle.
6. the illumination from the sun; daylight: We awoke at the first light.
7. daybreak or dawn: when light appeared in the east.
8. daytime: Summer has more hours of light.
9. a particular light or illumination in which an object seen takes on a certain appearance: viewing the portrait in dim light.
10. a device for or means of igniting, as a spark, flame, or match: Could you give me a light?
11. a traffic light: Don't cross till the light changes.
12. the aspect in which a thing appears or is regarded: Try to look at the situation in a more cheerful light.
13. the state of being visible, exposed to view, or revealed to public notice or knowledge; limelight: Stardom has placed her in the light.
14. a person who is an outstanding leader, celebrity, or example; luminary: He became one of the leading lights of Restoration drama.
15. Art.
a. the effect of light falling on an object or scene as represented in a picture.
b. one of the brightest parts of a picture.
16. a gleam or sparkle, as in the eyes.
17. a measure or supply of light; illumination: The wall cuts off our light.
18. spiritual illumination or awareness; enlightenment.
19. Architecture.
a. Also called day. one compartment of a window or window sash.
b. a window, esp. a small one.
20. mental insight; understanding.
21. lights, the information, ideas, or mental capacities possessed: to act according to one's lights.
22. a lighthouse.
23. Archaic. the eyesight.
–adjective
24. having light or illumination; bright; well-lighted: the lightest room in the entire house.
25. pale, whitish, or not deep or dark in color: a light blue.
26. (of coffee or tea) containing enough milk or cream to produce a light color.
–verb (used with object)
27. to set burning, as a candle, lamp, fire, match, or cigarette; kindle; ignite.
28. to turn or switch on (an electric light): One flick of the master switch lights all the lamps in the room.
29. to give light to; furnish with light or illumination: The room is lighted by two large chandeliers.
30. to make (an area or object) bright with or as if with light (often fol. by up): Hundreds of candles lighted up the ballroom.
31. to cause (the face, surroundings, etc.) to brighten, esp. with joy, animation, or the like (often fol. by up): A smile lit up her face. Her presence lighted up the room.
32. to guide or conduct with a light: a candle to light you to bed.
–verb (used without object)
33. to take fire or become kindled: The damp wood refused to light.
34. to ignite a cigar, cigarette, or pipe for purposes of smoking (usually fol. by up): He took out a pipe and lighted up before speaking.
35. to become illuminated when switched on: This table lamp won't light.
36. to become bright, as with light or color (often fol. by up): The sky lights up at sunset.
37. to brighten with animation or joy, as the face or eyes (often fol. by up).

It makes a sound. It doesn't matter what your definition of sound is, and it doesn't matter if there is any one, human or animal, there to hear it. The proof of this is simple. When the tree falls to the ground "watch" the leaves on nearby trees. They will resonate with the waves (call them sound or not) caused by the vibration of the trees falling and hitting the ground. There will also be air movements from air waves and movement of the tree from ground waves/ vibrations. So, all these things occur, whether there is an observer there or not. This question was NEVER originally raised or meant to be a serious scientific question. It was begun as a philosophical question like. If there is no victim, did i commit a crime? In other words, of what consequence is anything, if it has no observable consequences.

But without an observer, how can we even say that the tree has fallen at all? For it has only fallen when someone walks into the woods and says... yes this tree has fallen over

if e tree falls in the woods and there's no one around to hear it, does it make a sound? i'll say what i think, then if you guys dissagree, please explain your theory. i think that if a tree falls in the woods and there's no one around to hear it, id does NOT make a sound. sound is defined as vibrations traveling through air, water, or some other medium, especially those within the range of frequencies that can be perceived by the human ear. the simple answer is that sound is something that can be heard. if no one hears it there is no sound. until someone hears them, those vibrations traveling through the air cannot be called sound. so i think that if a tree falls in the woods and there's no one around to hear it, it emits certain vibration with the potential to become a sound, if there was somebody there to hear it. does anyone have a different point of view?

you missunderstand, i know that the vibrations are there, but as someone mentioned above it comes down to the definition of sound, if something is not heard, it is not sound, it's just all the vibrations. the avalanche is not triggered by sound, it's triggered by vibrations. technically, if no one hears it, it's not a sound.