“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” is a popular philosophical and scientific question. Google Images show variations:
 
. “If you don’t post about it online, did it really happen?”
. “If you don’t post a workout on Facebook, did it really happen?”
. “if you go to the gym and don’t post about it on Facebook, does it really happen?
. “If you don’t Insta, did it really happen?”
. “If you don’t post it on Facebook, did it really happen?”
. “If something fantastic occurs, and nobody brags about it on Facebook…Did it really happen?”
. “If a tree falls in a forest and it isn’t posted on Facebook, did it really happen?”
 
If it’s not on a person’s social media, did that person have anything to eat or drink? “If a dessert was eaten and a girl didn’t put it on instagram did it really happen…?” was cited on Twitter on June 25, 2012. “If a girls says she ate a nice meal and didnt put it on instagram did it really happen??” was cited on Twitter on August 4, 2012.
 
Coffee versions of the saying soon became popular. “If someone gets Starbucks and doesn’t put it on Instagram, did it really happen?” was cited on Twitter on November 28, 2012. “If you get coffee from a coffee shop and don’t put it on Instagram, or at least tweet about it, did it really happen?” was cited on Twitter on January 2, 2015.
 
   
Twitter
The Bwoy
‏@YourHeirness
“if a black person takes a picture and doesn’t put it on instagram, did it really happen?” - @twofingerRinger #sour #SICK #trippy #loud
1:29 PM - 23 May 2012
 
Twitter
JA
‏@jessicaarnone
If a dessert was eaten and a girl didn’t put it on instagram did it really happen…?
9:43 PM - 25 Jun 2012
 
Twitter
gangja mc
‏@Dpwarden
if a girls says she ate a nice meal and didnt put it on instagram did it really happen??
10:18 AM - 4 Aug 2012
 
Twitter
Joe Buckley
‏@JoeBuckYourself
If someone gets Starbucks and doesn’t put it on Instagram, did it really happen?
9:29 AM - 28 Nov 2012
 
Twitter
Gary Music Miller
‏@garymusicmiller
If you get coffee from a coffee shop and don’t put it on Instagram, or at least tweet about it, did it really happen?
4:53 AM - 2 Jan 2015
 
Twitter
Umair Syed
‏@umairrazasyed
If you get coffee from a coffee shop and don’t put it on Instagram, did it really happen?
4:00 AM - 5 Jan 2015
 
Twitter
Roy
‏@wpgroy
If you get coffee from a coffee shop and don’t tweet about it, did it really happen?
12:03 PM - 6 Jan 2015