Charles m

@1DopeStrumpet69 @pickover Agree completely. Would like to also add that the bolt through both horizontal/vertical members is joining a dato joint which doesn't pivot. Proper post placement calls for 1/3 of there length to be buried so removing all the ropes will have no affect

@pickover NONE - the Ropes are NOT the primary support of the wood structure. They look to be secondary Braces. Cut all the Ropes and if the carpenter was as perfectionistic as Most of them are ...that wood member the cat is craftily perched upon - It Ain't Goin Anywhere!

Mathematics. Physics. Which rope must be cut for Mr. Cat to fall? (Adopted from similar puzzles on the Web or in the literature.)