What if reality were...

[Gary Childress]

What if we lived in a simulated reality? What if someone we have no knowledge of is running this reality, and we don't know why, how, or anything about the simulation we live in or the person who has us in this simulation or even why or how they've put us in this simulation? Except, what if it is the truth of our situation (or maybe "my" situation because all the rest of you are just part of the "simulation" I'm in).

Think Total Recall, the movie where the actor Anold S. wakes up in the middle of his fantasy simulation to discover that he is actually an undercover agent whose mind has been wiped clean of any information as to his true identity and purpose for a specific purpose, but then snaps out of it when he is put in the chair to receive his fantasy simulation vacation.

I don't know if I'm in a simulation. As far as I know, I don't think I am. But if it were a logical possibility that someone could create an artificial virtual reality so convincing that I would never know I was in it, then should I consider it as maybe "possible", though maybe a little outlandish sounding?

And if such were reality, and I somehow got a hunch about it and considered that maybe I was in a simulation. What should I do?

And how would I be able to discern whether or not I was in a simulation or not, if it is/were the case that such an uber-realistic "virtual" reality were able to be constructed in real life and I'm in it?

EDIT: or think the Matrix where aliens have taken over the earth and we're all (in reality) trapped in little pods created by the aliens receiving a simulated reality for whatever reason.

[Impenitent]

and Plato steps out of the cave

-Imp

[Dubious]

It doesn't make the slightest difference whether we're holograms, simulations or whether we exist as a dream in a foreign psyche. If or when an illusion manifests as a reality there will be no choice but to accept it as such. Perhaps that is the ultimate reality when there is no difference from that which underpins it; call that what you will.

[Gary Childress]

and Plato steps out of the cave

-Imp

Do you think we are living in a reality simulation? Or are you just joking around?

[Impenitent]

and Plato steps out of the cave

-Imp

Do you think we are living in a reality simulation? Or are you just joking around?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory_of_the_cave

-Imp

[Gary Childress]

and Plato steps out of the cave

-Imp

Do you think we are living in a reality simulation? Or are you just joking around?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory_of_the_cave

-Imp

I'm very familiar with Plato's allegory of the cave. How does that relate to whether or not we live in a simulation or not? Are you saying that we do live in a simulation and Plato was the first to realize it or something?

[Impenitent]

Do you think we are living in a reality simulation? Or are you just joking around?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory_of_the_cave

-Imp

I'm very familiar with Plato's allegory of the cave. How does that relate to whether or not we live in a simulation or not? Are you saying that we do live in a simulation and Plato was the first to realize it or something?

read it again - Neo is the freed prisoner

-Imp

[Gary Childress]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory_of_the_cave

-Imp

I'm very familiar with Plato's allegory of the cave. How does that relate to whether or not we live in a simulation or not? Are you saying that we do live in a simulation and Plato was the first to realize it or something?

read it again - Neo is the freed prisoner

-Imp

I think I see what you are getting at and if so, it is a misunderstanding of what I posted and why. If you're saying the Matrix is an allegory, similar to Plato's cave, then it could very well be. It would be a modern-day allegory similar to it. What I'm asking is, could it be LITERALLY true? I don't believe Plato thought his allegory was literally true. However, there seems to be some real-life speculation going on among some scientists and philosophers posing the serious question, "Are we living in a simulation?". I was hoping to explore the topic a little with people here. As I say, I see no pressing reason to believe we live in a simulation; however, I don't suppose I could logically rule it out. The way AI and virtual reality are progressing, someday, maybe someone will truly be able to create a simulation of life that could fool a human into thinking that the simulation is the "real" world.

[Impenitent]

all we have access to is the impressions...

what is behind the impressions? the world as it appears in said impressions...

but we can create almost the same impressions through machines

what if death was nothing more than something turning off the machine, possibly turning another machine on for another "game of life"

plugged into another set of experiences... reincarnated as a cow? a fish? a bird?

reincarnated as an aborted fetus... that might be interesting...

-Imp

[Walker]

What if we lived in a simulated reality?

Accurately predicting inevitability by recognizing the confluence of motive forces has a feel of being a witness to an intelligence in action.

A simulation.

When such accuracy happens often the feeling arises that one’s personal awareness of reality is the reflection of the continuum of reality. That feeling is actually true.

When the prediction goes wrong, when things aren’t working out as planned, folks can have the feeling of being in an evil simulation, which is why TDS afflicts sufferers with unhappiness. This feeling may be intellectually unsophisticated, but so is irrationality.

What creates the simulation?

The intelligence that permeates and orders the universe and creates greater complexity, from lesser complexity, is the same intelligence of which each gets a taste, according to biological capacity, and blockages that inhibit that capacity.

Omnamahashavai

[Lacewing]

I agree with what some others have said. It doesn't matter because it is what it is for you... and that's all you can work with. So just do the best you can and love yourself for doing that. Have compassion for yourself for dealing with all of the outrageous and ridiculous challenges of a human life. You don't need a god or anyone else to understand or love you... let your divine essence do it for your human self. Care for yourself like you wish someone else would. With practice, you can become the most understanding and helpful friend you've ever had.

[Gary Childress]

I agree with what some others have said. It doesn't matter because it is what it is for you... and that's all you can work with. So just do the best you can and love yourself for doing that. Have compassion for yourself for dealing with all of the outrageous and ridiculous challenges of a human life. You don't need a god or anyone else to understand or love you... let your divine essence do it for your human self. Care for yourself like you wish someone else would. With practice, you can become the most understanding and helpful friend you've ever had.