Science Suggests We're Living in the Matrix

[Secret world leader (shhh)]

I remember when I was like...8/9 I decided that the universe was a computer simulation and that pain was illusory.

I was a weird kid.

 

[Woodsey]

YES, PROOF OF GOD!!! OK, but really now. Think about it, someone needs too be on the "outside" observing our behavior. Wipe your memories while in the program too see how you truly behave, then send you too the appropriate "afterlife". This might even explain reincarnation (or rebirth), sending us through the "program" until we complete it (ie universe is destroyed).

I do not believe in this theory, But I do believe in God, and if this were true then the Master truly does have a good sense of humor.

This is taking about an advanced form of shit we can already do (running simulations), not supernatural powers. Not to mention it basically eliminates all the other stuff people like to pretend gods are supposed to be good for (figures of moral superiority and whatnot).

 

[Belated]

Old news is ooooold.

Seriously though, this simulation theory has existed for a while. It's not some new study that just came out. If it is possible to simulate self-awareness and an entire universe, then we are almost certainly in such a simulation right now.

Unless of course, it isn't possible to simulate self-awareness, which I personally believe it isn't.

 

[BroJing]

I know Kung Fu!

Oh wait, no I totally don't.

Damnit!

 

[Saulkar]

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A
IDDQD
greedisgood
it is a good day to die
rosebud
nwcalreadygotone

...

... Well, damn...

impulse 101
bewareoblivionisathand
thereisnocowlevel
idkfa

...

nothing...

power overwheling
corwin of amber
+zool
Square, Triangle, X, Space, Circle

Well, I'm all out of ideas.

number1dacrestreat/reet
dontfearthereaper
*G*-*O*-*D*
set camti
game.cheat

 

[AngloDoom]

Finally, a reasonable explanation for those times when I'm about to go to bed and I feel like I'm falling through the bed.

It's just a bug, like when you fall asleep next to a wall in Minecraft and wake up covered in zombies.

 

[EHKOS]

Yeah, no. Certain people would be able to bend the rules, and even kids have the determination to try like hell. With the exception of magicians, Jesus, and super martial artists, no one has been able to bend the rules.

 

[Old Father Eternity]

Honestly, it doesn't remind me of The Matrix as much as it reminds me of The Thirteenth Floor.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0139809/

I do believe you are correct, although the scale at which it is conducted is quite a bit larger.

 

[Bobic]

I've always thought the whole Observer Effect (specifically relating to quantum physics) was evidence that we were living in a simulation. The fact that things only choose values (i.e. exist in a defined way) when we observe them. So if no-one is looking, things don't exist. Sounds an awful lot like they're saving on processing power to me.

When you look at something the photons hitting that object will make it heavier. In the case of larger things its not a big deal, nobody notices.

Objects at the size of electrons [quantum particles in general] actually get knocked around by these photons. So just by observing it you move it and it is no longer where you observed it. So basically you can either guess where it is or see where it was, but never where it is.

I am probably forgetting something but as far as I understand it it isn't THAT strange.

From Wiki:

A key topic is that of wave function collapse, for which some interpretations assert that measurement causes a discontinuous change into a non-quantum state, which no longer evolves. The superposition principle (ψ = Σanψn) of quantum physics says that for a wave function ψ, a measurement will give a state of the quantum system of one of the m possible eigenvalues fn, n=1,2...m, of the operator which is part of the eigenfunctions ψn, n=1,2,...n. Once we have measured the system, we know its current state and this stops it from being in one of its other states.[1] This means that the type of measurement that we do on the system affects the end state of the system. An experimentally studied situation related to this is the quantum Zeno effect, in which a quantum state that would decay if left alone but does not decay because of its continuous observation.

Or, in none baffling science terms:

Quantum systems exist as what is known as a probability density (i.e. a system of possibilities, rather than something specific). Observation makes it pick one of these possibilities, and become defined. Therefore Keanu Reeves will lead us to salvation.

 

[Syzygy23]

...Well, someone's reaching for a conclusion... I mean, if this was a computer simulation, wouldn't it be, I dunno, more interesting? Hell, I'd love to be able to do all that bullet time stuff...

What if the universe our simulated universe is run by is even LAMER than our simulated universe?

 

[Zeren]

What if we are just one big Sims game?

It would explain a lot.

 

[blackrave]

We are all aware that the senses can be deceived, the eyes fooled.
But how can we be sure our senses are not being deceived at any
particular time, or even all the time? Might I just be a brain in
a tank somewhere, tricked all my life into believing in the events
of this world by some insane computer? And does my life gain or lose
meaning based on my reaction to such solipsism?

-- Project PYRRHO, Specimen 46, Vat 7
Activity Recorded M.Y. 2302.22467
TERMINATION OF SPECIMEN ADVISED


Please tell me I'm not only one who thought about Alpha Centauri

 

[JediMB]

I'm pretty sure that if you're going to perfectly simulate a whole universe (down to subatomic particles), you'd need to pretty much turn the entire universe into a computer. Which, of course, makes the whole thing pointless.

 

[DjinnFor]

I'm pretty sure that if you're going to perfectly simulate a whole universe (down to subatomic particles), you'd need to pretty much turn the entire universe into a computer. Which, of course, makes the whole thing pointless.

Last I checked the existence of subatomic particles is largely inferred, meaning if they were simulated we wouldn't be able to tell at this point. I haven't checked in a long time though so I wonder if that's still true.

 

[Ferisar]

Can we walk up walls, dodge bullets and do this?


No? Figure out how to do all that first, then maybe we can talk. I can't honestly be the only one who wants all that stuff to happen.

More to the point though: They make a simulation of world of...this!? Seriously, we coulda had an epic sci-fi universe, a badass fantasy world or even just awesome imaginative societies. Instead? We get stuck in this bland little world? I think i need to have a talk with the programmers..

There's actually a great little short story by, well, someone (I forgot), in which the protagonist is slowly defaulting to "our" reality and finding it extremely strange and pretty much goes kookoo just 'cause the world isn't chaotic like his reality. I forgot if this was done through a dream-sequence or not, but he talks to his therapist, in a room full of colors and melting floors and junk, and then goes outside and things just... stop being "weird".

What I'm trying to say is, our world is only as bland as we make it. Live anywhere long enough and it's bland. Hard to judge our reality while being in it.

 

[Batou667]

And if it is a simulation can the overlords please erase all memory of the past 20 years of my life please?

Granted. Your true memories have been erased. To avoid catastrophic cognitive dissonance you have been implanted with false memories that satisfactorily explain your current state of being.

...what? You never specified better memories.

 

[oooooooooooooooooooooooooo]

While the actual theory itself is obviously philosophically valid, I don't really buy what is being claimed to be evidence here. My main problem is this; what are the chances that a human civilization so advanced that it could produce and use this sort of simulation on mass would still be relying the techniques we are currently using when writing simulations?

EDIT: As far as I am aware, an important aspect of this theory that hasn't been mentioned so far is we would likely be extremely advanced AI programs rather than humans plugged into a system.

 

[Ferisar]

The whole thing sounds cool and all, just a few criticisms.

If a simulation is shut down, all meta-simulations within it will also cease to exist. How come all simulations above us are held intact?

Also, in order for a simulation to be run, it needs a purpose. As of right now, our universe doesn't seem to have any other purpose other than an accelerating enthropy into the cold, dark nothingness.

Thirdly, if this is a simulation, magic should exist. By magic, I mean phenomenas that cleraly breaks the laws of nature without any possible explanation. The problem is that all 'supernatural' phenomena that has been witness, has also been explained by science.

Another thing that catches my attention, is that this suggestion stems from the fact that the universe contains a limited amount of energy. Wat?

All in all, I consider the idea of simulated realities to be wishful thinking, but it's an interesting idea nonetheless. So I think it's still a good idea if we ponder upon this idea in order to understand the world a little bit better.

Then we run into the question whether we are programs or users.

Magic and and purpose don't factor in here. Magic is a broad brush-stroke. If this "simulation" contains nothing that would be interpreted as magic, then there will be no magic. This isn't a novel written by some random person, it would have to be a precise set of systems which all function together. It's more like... everything is magic, but comes from somewhere.

Purpose is an obvious no-no. Even basic functions don't serve any purpose when just scattered around a sheet. It's the very definition of sandbox. Also, who's to say entropy is not a purpose?

And why would energy not be limited, dare I ask? We know the universe had a beginning, which then puts a limit on energy based on just... well, mass. Energy doesn't just pop out of nowhere, ever.

The first point makes the most sense, but even then, the perception of time doesn't hold up. This "simulation" may take nano-seconds on a higher state, and entropy would be the shut-down point, where-as we experience the same thing in billions-trillions of years. You just have to look at this from a different perspective.

Captcha: broken record.

Huh...

 

[Ferisar]

I always found the "infinite simulations theory" to be a fat load.

It makes the massive assumption that a race would, for some purpose, rather erase their lives and live in a simulation for eternity. Yeah, that sounds like something ANYONE would do... especially live in a simulation with crime and hatred and war and death. Totally sounds like something someone would do.

I mean, if this was a simulation, wouldn't it be idealized? I love my video games, but I'd never want to live in one. Wouldn't a race advanced enough to create perfect virtual reality be advanced enough to desire actual fulfillment?

Well, this brings in the assumption that we are a functioning state in a higher chain. There can also be the assumption that inhabiting a "simulated reality" has nothing to do with you, or me, or, you know, anyone from "a higher state". More of a "you're part of where you are" aka, part of the whole thing as it were.

 

[PH3NOmenon]

I feel this is relevant.