Computer Simulation?

[cristobel]

It has been suggested that this whole world is merely a computer programme with a few glitches thrown in to give us problems to solve.
What do you think?

[abbey]

Originally Posted by cristobel

It has been suggested that this whole world is merely a computer programme with a few glitches thrown in to give us problems to solve.
What do you think?

You mean like the Matrix
Welcome to the FG, by the way x

[Hawke]

I sure hope the server dosen't crash

[cristobel]

Hi, Hawke. You and me both. But if the server DOES crash ....

[anastrophe]

i guess the question that comes to mind would be, why would 'they' (whomever 'they' are) have set up part of the simulation to be a movie that we would see that would describe the simulation and its nefarious purpose, followed up by further movies that describe the destruction of the simulation?

[Jika]

Hi Cristobel, great to see another Aussie in the garden.

I guess this basically falls under the catagory of existentialism.
You've got to love propositions like this, they can really mess with your head.

Well, my take on it is this.....If I am a 'Sim' in someone else's programme, and I don't truly exist I guess I won't know if the server crashes, so it won't bother me.

[BigScaryMonster]

Originally Posted by anastrophe

i guess the question that comes to mind would be, why would 'they' (whomever 'they' are) have set up part of the simulation to be a movie that we would see that would describe the simulation and its nefarious purpose, followed up by further movies that describe the destruction of the simulation?

That's the genious of it. Rather than try to cover it up, they spill their secrets exactly as they are. That way if someone runs to us telling us this is how it really is, we dismiss them as dellusional and wishfull thinking. I mean, if this world really is a matrix, who would believe someone who uses the matrix triology as a source? If you hide the truth from the masses, they will eventually discover it. But if you reveal the truth in an unbelievable way to the masses, they will dismiss it.

BTW, the Wachowski brothers didn't come up with the matrix. The entire concept was from a story some woman wrote. They copied it so much that the W brothers even used the story as a reference while they were directing the matrix movies. In fact, the only reason this incident isn't more public is because Warner Brothers knew about the plagiarism, and because the woman sued the Wachowskis and Warner Brothers (and won), the WB, and all the media outlets they own, refused to report on this as news. Look this up on reuters(sp?).

[Doctor Who]

Originally Posted by anastrophe

i guess the question that comes to mind would be, why would 'they' (whomever 'they' are) have set up part of the simulation to be a movie that we would see that would describe the simulation and its nefarious purpose, followed up by further movies that describe the destruction of the simulation?

Ahhh, but that's that trick you see. Set up a simulation of the simulation. They cancel each other out. People are less likely to believe it after The Matrix than they would have been before. I mean...who is going to believe a proper scientist over the W bros?

[sjm572001]

I think there are some scientists working seriously on the idea that the universe can be modelled as a large computer programme - in fact a cellular automaton, but I believe it is a minority interest. There is a problem making the model compatible with quantum mechanics.

It is all about model building. Even if the computer programme model turns out to be accurate that does not necessarily mean the universe is a big computer programme. The programme would be the best description of those parts of the universe known to us or that we can understand.

The fable of the blind men and the elephant gives a good picture. A king showed an elephant to a group of blind men. One grasped the trunk and said it is like a snake, another grasped a leg and said it is like a palm tree, a third grasped a tusk...., etc.

Steve

I like the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy angle. The earth as a giant computer designed to decode the answer to the meaning of life, the universe and everything. Ruled by beings masquerading as mice, of course.

Great stuff.