Are We Living in A Simulation?

[Torren61]

Are we living in a simulation? My first reaction would be to answer "Of course not." Then, I think about this:



That's Pong in case you don't know. 50 years later, we have this:



That's a 360* virtual reality space walk. It's interactive, btw, you can drag the screen around to see other things.

Now, humans have been on this planet for a long time. If we're not currently in a simulation, how much longer would it take to be able to create one that would be indistinguishable from reality to a consciousness inside that simulation? Where will we be with computer simulation technology if given another thousand years to develop it? Would it even take that long? Where will be be in another 100 years?

It's just a thought...

 

[playloud]

Well, I certainly agree that computer programs now are more "lifelike" than Atari games from the 70s...

But even assuming a computer program can "simulate" life to an arbitrary level of accuracy, why does it necessarily follow that our lives are simulations? A computer can repeat any arithmetic calculation I make, but that doesn't mean said calculation was made by a computer.

Or does it?

 

[circles]

It seems every era has different Realities, depending on the zeitgeist du jour.

 

[Vinsanitizer]

Are we living in a simulation? My first reaction would be to answer "Of course not." ...

No. This is real.

 

[Vinsanitizer]

It seems every era has different Realities, depending on the zeitgeist du jour.

Nice signature.

 

[Leonard Neemoil]

If placed into the simulation at birth, someone would have absolutely no idea that they're actually in a simulation because they have no reality to compare it to.

Something else to consider, maybe WE are also part of a simulation. Nothing is real aside from the beings and computer that created our "reality" and our sense of existence and free thought. We're just ones and zeros/bits and bytes, like the Sims game.

We'll never really know for certain.

Have a wonderful day.

 

[Wildeman]

I think there's a movie or two about this......

 

[crossroadsnyc]

Good topic, dude ... I started a thread similar to this back in 2011:

Simulation Hypothesis

Given the nature of the hypothesis, I'm not sure how much of a thread this will turn out to be (the topic/theory is pretty out there, and thus, might be difficult to sustain in conversation), but I find it rather fascinating, and thought perhaps some of you might enjoy chewing it over for a...

www.marshallforum.com

 

[Deftone]

I keep feeling like we are getting closer to becoming part of the Matrix every day.

 

[TonalEuphoria]

If it is a simulation and there isn't anything real in cost to the things I have me now and the situations I deal with, than I want to talk to someone in customer service. Because I should be getting a back rub right now from a Playboy bunny in her birthday suit, will drinking the finest champange, being fed fresh cherries dipped in dark chocolate from another bunny, with yet another one is on her knees polishing things off. Cause this is a raw deal otherwise.

 

[Vinsanitizer]

If placed into the simulation at birth, someone would have absolutely no idea that they're actually in a simulation because they have no reality to compare it to.

Something else to consider, maybe WE are also part of a simulation. ...

No. This is real.

Here - watch it (starts at 1:30) until about 3:20 and I think you'll agree:

 

[Torren61]

If it is a simulation and there isn't anything real in cost to the things I have me now and the situations I deal with, than I want to talk to someone in customer service. Because I should be getting a back rub right now from a Playboy bunny in her birthday suit, will drinking the finest champange, being fed fresh cherries dipped in dark chocolate from another bunny, with yet another one is on her knees polishing things off. Cause this is a raw deal otherwise.

 

[David William Reid]

Are we living in a simulation? My first reaction would be to answer "Of course not." Then, I think about this:



That's Pong in case you don't know. 50 years later, we have this:



That's a 360* virtual reality space walk. It's interactive, btw, you can drag the screen around to see other things.

Now, humans have been on this planet for a long time. If we're not currently in a simulation, how much longer would it take to be able to create one that would be indistinguishable from reality to a consciousness inside that simulation? Where will we be with computer simulation technology if given another thousand years to develop it? Would it even take that long? Where will be be in another 100 years?

It's just a thought...

Well, I wish it would glitch, so I can get some more money to fix my truck and buy another amplifier. To start.

 

[Old Punker]

If placed into the simulation at birth, someone would have absolutely no idea that they're actually in a simulation because they have no reality to compare it to.

Something else to consider, maybe WE are also part of a simulation. Nothing is real aside from the beings and computer that created our "reality" and our sense of existence and free thought. We're just ones and zeros/bits and bytes, like the Sims game.

We'll never really know for certain.

Have a wonderful day.

Exactly! No one can either prove/disprove the simulation hypothesis.

So whether we are in a simulation or not, this is the only reality we have.

That's why I've given up worrying about these BIG questions.

 

[PelliX]

Exactly! No one can either prove/disprove the simulation hypothesis.

But let say, for argument's sake, that it weren't hypothetical...

 

[Rokinroller]

What we have is as real as it gets . We can let imaginations run wild . Thats how we are . We get one crack at this awesome place . Its all we'll ever know . It does not last that long . Nothing else matters .

 

[TonalEuphoria]

Ah. Now we're talking. That steak looks good too.

 

[Rokinroller]

Time to wake up ....... this is the real matrix

 

[Rokinroller]

Simulation matrix in trouble : High in the sky

 

[MonstersOfTheMidway]

French philosopher Jean Baudrillard basically posed the same question, and built a case for it (his book Simulacra And Simulation explores this idea and is the partial basis for the film The Matrix-his book even makes a quick cameo if you look closely).

I'd think that we're getting closer to simulation (I think some people are already living in it by choice). But I wonder how accepting (and to what degree) people will accept this type of "reality." People seem to be amazed by the newest/most advanced technology (e.g. the new iPhone, self-driving vehicles, pilot-less rocket ships, etc.), which could be a hint at how receptive the coming generations will be with living in a simulated existence.

Hard to say what the reaction will be (people did reject "new" Coke after all).