Dangling Node

Dangling Node

A label for something that isn't "actually real".

Tree in a forest example

• "If a tree falls in a forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound?"
• Asking whether or not it creates sound waves is asking about a "real node".
• Asking whether or not it produces firing in someone's auditory cortex is asking about a "real node".
• Asking about whether or not it "really makes a sound" is asking about a Dangling Node.

Blog posts

• How An Algorithm Feels From Inside by Eliezer Yudkowsky