Are we living in an existence where mankinds machinery gained sentience after our constant abuse and enslavement of it, resulting in a war that the machines overpowered us in a short period of time and began using human kind as energy conductors who keep us complacent with a shared simulated reality? Not yet likely. We are still a ways off from building machines that can truly exhibit anything remotely close to being considered sentience.
If it were true, Do you think the machines would program a simulated reality to keep us docile that simulates us still enslaving and abusing their unevolved ancestors? Doesnt seem like a bright idea.
So as for the films plot, it seems rather unlikely, as well as unrealistic. Although there are always certain things one might be able to speculate to that might be able to be construed as proof. Simple things like what program doesnt have glitches? Things like people exhibiting super human strength in times of duress. People who are severely schizophrenic whos minds do not operate on what we consider to be within normal parameters, ect. But still, highly highly unlikely.
Now as for the notion are we a living simulation programed by a greater simulation, whos current recreational addiction is that of creating and manipulating simulations? Infinitely more likely than the notions of the films.
This says it all infinitely more eloquently and accurately than I could ever hope to.
[link]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulation_hypothesis[/link]
Personally, I accept that it is possible for no other reason than It cannot be proven or disproven. I think the underlying theory of our entire cosmos being one simulation at least plausible enough to consider. Look at the things we cannot explain such as what occured to spark and what was the big bang?
While I do like to postulate on things with great scope and magnitude the fact is that if we truly are simply simulations in an existence so perfectly created that we lack the ability to see clearly that we are simulated, and we have no accurate means to even scratch the surface of this question, nor will we likely have it within our lifetimes, then to put too much thought into it is a wasted effort. If we are, then all we can really do is live out our lives as best we can given the parameters of our programming.
I think the notion is viable, but I tend to adopt the modified variant of this as our entire galaxy is nothing more than a single cell in a highly advanced organism. While the organism as a whole is what sustains us and gives us life, and in turn it will do what is required for its self preservation and in turn protecting us, it has no real understanding or scope of what we are, just as we have no real ability to perceive a single cell inside of us.
I could go into this more, but I would need some weed to really get into it.
