"The perception of the audience is the interesting part. If the audience doesn't hear what is going on, is it going on or not?"

Robert Fripp's quote, "The understanding of the audience is the intriguing part. If the audience does not hear what is going on, is it going on or not?" delves into the philosophical interplay between perception, reality, and the essence of efficiency. It postures a thought-provoking question about the nature of presence in the world of art and understanding, welcoming reflection on whether unperceived or unheard elements still have intrinsic worth or truth.

The first part of the quote, "The perception of the audience is the intriguing part", highlights the vital role that audience engagement and interpretation play in any efficiency or artistic discussion. Art doesn't exist in a vacuum; it requires interaction and interpretation by an observer. The audience's understandings can transform an efficiency, deeply influence its impact, and even change its intended meaning. Thus, the audience actively takes part in the production of the art experience.

The second part of the quote, "If the audience doesn't hear what is going on, is it going on or not?" introduces a reflective paradox comparable to the philosophical thought experiment "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a noise?" Here, Fripp concerns the unbiased presence of artistic elements that leave the audience's notice. This welcomes speculation on the nature of reality: Is art only what is viewed, or does it possess an independent essence no matter recognition?

In essence, Fripp challenges us to think about how much truth or implying an unobserved artistic minute holds. This reviews the profound nature of art, where both the creator and the spectator add to its presence and significance. The quote highlights a fundamental fact about human experience: our understandings shape our reality, yet truth might still continue beyond our senses. Hence, Fripp's insight extends beyond art, discussing broader existential styles of what it implies for something to "be", irrespective of observation.