Hey Rocky, watch me pull a meme out of my brain!

[l_the_fangirl]

Answer this koan, and give an explanation and example. Try to answer as seriously as you can. Then ask me a koan.

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

Comments

[momentai.livejournal.com]

Why, yes, yes it does. The sound waves generated by the impact of the tree with the forest floor would exist regardless of whether a human ear is there to perceive them or not, so since the waves exist, the sound exists.

It could be argued that since there is no ear there to perceive the waves that technically there is no "sound", but that fails to account for the forest animals. And really, even if if there were no ears at all, the sound would be still be there regardless of it being "heard"or not. why? Because existensial nonsense like that really irritates me and serves no purpose.

For you...If we always settle for "good enough" will anything ever truly be good enough for us?

[l-the-fangirl.livejournal.com]

No. We will always underestimate our own needs, and become complacent, without making an effort to improve. :)

[raidingparty.livejournal.com]

Quantum state depends on observation.

If it is later observed, the downed tree's sound will reverberate in the internal ears of the observer.

If it is never observed, it never fell. Since the questions assumes it fell, it will necessarily later be observed.

Does expertise in an interest reduce one's appreciation of that interest?

[l-the-fangirl.livejournal.com]

No. Talent is enthusiasm combined with 10,000 hours of practice.

[cappadocius.livejournal.com]

momentai took my answer, so you get my koan.

Does a dog have the buddha nature?

[l-the-fangirl.livejournal.com]

To be flippant, "mu."

Seriously, it is not aware enough of the consequences of it's actions to.