OT - Are you living in a computer simulation?

[Goldstone1976]

A handful (ok, two) people asked for this, so here it is.

Well, are you?

 

[AmexRuislip]

I used to be fan of this guy

 

[Goldstone1976]

Cogito ergo sum.

The only thing one can be sure of is that "I" exists, everything else could be an illusion (or simulation)

Yes, but "I", or at least your sense of "I" could simply be clever programming, so that you are nothing more than binary digits. If so, in what sense do you exist? Does the software running NSC "exist"?

 

[BBassic]

Bostrom's paper on this is great - http://www.simulation-argument.com/simulation.html

 

[Goldstone1976]

Bostrom's paper on this is great - http://www.simulation-argument.com/simulation.html

Yes, it is. But what's your opinion?

edit: two typos in a four word sentence

 

[Gullflyinghigh]

Does anyone else find it annoying having these diamonds floating over their heads?

I wouldn't mind but it glowing bright green when I'm trying to sleep is bloody offputting.

 

[BBassic]

Yes, it is. But's what your opinion?

I think it's a possibility but only because it reconciles my thoughts regarding the after-life. My brain cannot comprehend my non-existence. The idea that the lights switch off and there's nothing after death just doesn't sit right with me.

With that in mind I believe we're sort of reset; like a game, going back to your 'save point' (birth). Deja-vu etc is a result of experiencing the same situation in your 'last life'.

Written out all that makes me look like a sodding crack-pot but it's the best I've got.

 

[Fef]

I think it's a possibility but only because it reconciles my thoughts regarding the after-life. My brain cannot comprehend my non-existence. The idea that the lights switch off and there's nothing after death just doesn't sit right with me.

With that in mind I believe we're sort of reset; like a game, going back to your 'save point' (birth). Deja-vu etc is a result of experiencing the same situation in your 'last life'.

Written out all that makes me look like a sodding crack-pot but it's the best I've got.

Like a high-tech version of Buddhism.

 

[Bozza]

Does the software running NSC "exist"?

I wish it didn't sometimes.

Note to self: fix the image uploading thing.

 

[Stat Brother]

If I am it's a ZX Spectrum game, without the giant ants.


I want my money back.

 

[Grombleton]

I'd quite like to be in Better Than Life.

 

[BBassic]

Like a high-tech version of Buddhism.

iBuddha

 

[clippedgull]

What is 'outside' of the Universe?

It's possible that humans could be part of an alien (far advanced species) experiment.

It's just our luck that Earth gets obliterated the year we are sitting top of the Championship table on course for the Premier League.

 

[StonehamPark]

Well I do mow the lawn from time to time.

 

[tinycowboy]

The first question for me has to be "If so, who created the simulation?" The answer is unknowable if we accept that we do live in a simulation. That doesn't help us. What could indicate that we live in a simulation? We would need to be able to comprehend information that signalled this. It is unlikely we could do this, even if it existed. That doesn't help us. I won't go on, because my conclusion is that it is not possible for us to assess whether we are in a simulation or not as we are unable to measure/describe/imagine the difference between a simulation and our current experience of "life". If we cannot define how two things could be different, we are unable to say they are different. Ready for that conclusion to be picked apart by experts....

 

[beorhthelm]

i'm not, but you all are.

 

[Norman Potting]

I think it's a possibility but only because it reconciles my thoughts regarding the after-life. My brain cannot comprehend my non-existence. The idea that the lights switch off and there's nothing after death just doesn't sit right with me.

With that in mind I believe we're sort of reset; like a game, going back to your 'save point' (birth). Deja-vu etc is a result of experiencing the same situation in your 'last life'.

Written out all that makes me look like a sodding crack-pot but it's the best I've got.

Bit deep for a Thursday afternoon but I see where you are coming from.

 

[Buzzer]

I think it's a possibility but only because it reconciles my thoughts regarding the after-life. My brain cannot comprehend my non-existence. The idea that the lights switch off and there's nothing after death just doesn't sit right with me.

With that in mind I believe we're sort of reset; like a game, going back to your 'save point' (birth). Deja-vu etc is a result of experiencing the same situation in your 'last life'.

Written out all that makes me look like a sodding crack-pot but it's the best I've got.

If more people are being born than dying, where have all the extra people come from? Chimps promoted from monkey conference to the human league? Dare we think that? These are the things that dreams are made of.


I'll get me coat.

 

[tinycowboy]

If more people are being born than dying, where have all the extra people come from? Chimps promoted from monkey conference to the human league? Dare we think that? These are the things that dreams are made of.

Blimey, so much (Norman) wisdom. My brain feels like it's being boiled...

 

[Buzzer]

Or maybe me and you are computers and someone else is the real one.

Some sort of mirror man, you mean?