(1.1) Introduction

In the forest, a tree may or may not have fallen on a box containing Schrodinger's Cat. Did anyone observe the event? Is the cat ok?

(1.1.1) Furthermore, let's say that someone inquires about the consequences of a tree falling on their cat (in a forest, tweet, weblog, discussion group, chat room, forum, social community or an old fashioned bulletin board) and no one responds.

(1.1.2) Why?

original delimma(2.1) Original Description of the Dilemma

Bryan C. Warnock encountered an experience somewhat similar to the above while posting to a Perl list. The dilemma originated with this post to a perl developers list, and Warnock "provides further historical commentary in this later post to another perl list."* His experience might be applicable to any forum, weblog, chat room, group discussion or bulletin board post. As follows is a statement of the conundrum:

(2.1.1) You post a comment or question to a forum. No one responds. Did no one respond (as Warnock considers) because:

  1. The post is correct, well-written information that needs no follow-up commentary. There's nothing more to say except "Yeah, what he said."
  2. The post is complete and utter nonsense, and no one wants to waste the energy or bandwidth to even point this out.
  3. No one read the post, for whatever reason.
  4. No one understood the post, but won't ask for clarification, for whatever reason.
  5. No one cares about the post, for whatever reason.

Next » There may be many more factors, causes or variations to this dilemma that might inhibit a response or cause others not to respond. »