Everyone knows this riddle: If a tree falls in a forest and nobody is there to hear it, does it make a sound? Here is the good news – I will answer the question. – However, the bigger question is will you agree?
The key is in the definition of two key words: sound and sound waves. The question is whether one considers these two terms as the same or different.
Sounds waves are sequence of a repeating pattern of high and low pressure waves passing through a solid, liquid, gas, or plasma. Waves can be of different frequencies, the number of repeated waves over a period of time (usually seconds). Think of different musical notes having different frequencies.
Sound is the interpretation of sound waves. From an organism’s point of view, in order for sound to occur, the organism needs a mechanism that converts sound waves into nerve impulses that are another mechanism translates them into a sound.
Does a dog whistle make sound waves? Unquestionably yes. Does it make sound? To a dog, yes – but to humans, no.
Does the symphony make sound waves? Yes. Does a totally deaf person in attendance hear the sound? No – not to them; but to one with healthy hearing, yes.
Therefore, the falling tree unquestionably produces sound waves – but if nothing is there that is capable of translating sound waves, there is no sound.
Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 137
Posted in Opinions in the Shorts, tagged Bob Herzog, Commentaries, Creationism, Dance Party Friday, Mitt Romney, Opinions, Opinions in the Shorts, Social Darwinism, The Onion's Satire Bits, Zippers on April 26, 2012 | 49 Comments »
On Politics
Finally, Mitt Romney is going to be the nominee. Finally, Mitt Romney will move toward the center and seemingly forget past comments. Let the Etch-a-Sketch begin.
Did anyone notice that Mr. Romney hasn’t been using “conservative” in recent speeches?
Mr. Romney is correct at making the economy the central theme of his campaign.
“They (the American people) have lost faith in sporting institutions in this country because of many different scandals. They’ve lost faith in the government. They’ve lost faith in both political parties… They’ve lost faith in corporate institutions. They’ve lost faith in the media.” Well said Mathew Dowd, political analyst.
On Headlines from The Onion
Nation’s Employment Outlook Drastically Improves after Fifth Beer
Vatican Tightening Nocturnal Emissions Standards
Red Meat Takes Years off Cow’s Life
Anthropologist Reports Human Feet Originally Used for Walking
First-Time Flasher is going to Make Sure He’s Erect Next Time
New TV Show: Ice Road Hookers
Nation’s Toddler Reports new iPad Taste about the Same
Interesting Reads
Big Companies Getting to Keep Employee’s Tax Withholdings
Tale of Two Recoveries
Teaching Science in Tennessee
Cells Phone Seeing through Walls
Grappling with the Garbage Glut
Brain Gigbytes
The Buffet Rule is Worth Debating
On Potpourri
I have often said that with their view of creation, religious conservatives give God too little credit. Here’s an interesting perspective.
Google’s recent zipper interface was awesome! Here’s an explanation of how a zipper works.
On the Thursday morning news I heard “social Darwinism” – interestingly, I posted about it earlier this week.
Blog spam amuses me. I just had one telling how pre-natal message therapy is linked to my post about Popeye the Sailor!
I have a classic cartoon post planned for tomorrow.
Because the week started with Cincinnati’s dancing morning traffic reporter, we might as well as end the week in similar fashion. Here’s a recent Dance Party Friday dedicated to an upcoming Barry Manilow performance.
Have a good weekend everyone. In the words of Garrison Keillor; Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.
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