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left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
Sat Jul 6, 2019, 12:15 PM Jul 2019

Are we living in a simulated universe? Here's what scientists say.

What if everything around us — the people, the stars overhead, the ground beneath our feet, even our bodies and minds — were an elaborate illusion? What if our world were simply a hyper-realistic simulation, with all of us merely characters in some kind of sophisticated video game?

This, of course, is a familiar concept from science fiction books and films, including the 1999 blockbuster movie "The Matrix." But some physicists and philosophers say it’s possible that we really do live in a simulation — even if that means casting aside what we know (or think we know) about the universe and our place in it.

“If we are living in a simulation, then the cosmos that we are observing is just a tiny piece of the totality of physical existence,” Oxford philosopher Nick Bostrom said in a 2003 paper that jump-started the conversation about what has come to be known as the simulation hypothesis. “While the world we see is in some sense ‘real,’ it is not located at the fundamental level of reality.”

Rizwan Virk, founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s PlayLabs program and author of "The Simulation Hypothesis," is among those who take the simulation hypothesis seriously. He recalls playing a virtual reality game so realistic that he forgot that he was in an empty room with a headset on. That led him to wonder: Are we sure we aren’t embedded within a world created by beings more technologically savvy than ourselves?

https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/are-we-living-simulated-universe-here-s-what-scientists-say-ncna1026916

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Are we living in a simulated universe? Here's what scientists say. (Original Post) left-of-center2012 Jul 2019 OP
very ancient Hindi and Buddhist theory vlyons Jul 2019 #1
I love the "twin verses" from the Dhammapada... Anon-C Jul 2019 #3
I'm currently reading, studying the Buddhist philosophies vlyons Jul 2019 #12
Reminds me of 1975 customerserviceguy Jul 2019 #2
Would Not Rule That Out colsohlibgal Jul 2019 #4
Discussion of simulation hypothesis always makes me think of this Bible verse... ADX Jul 2019 #5
Switch it off Loki Liesmith Jul 2019 #6
WestWorld comes to mind SHRED Jul 2019 #7
I Think This Is True Me. Jul 2019 #8
Pseudo-religious bunkum, imho (nt) mr_lebowski Jul 2019 #9
And I'm late for work California_Republic Jul 2019 #10
I need to talk to the being or force directing my life... Marie Marie Jul 2019 #11
Why would I believe a simulated scientist? GeorgeGist Jul 2019 #13

vlyons

(10,252 posts)
1. very ancient Hindi and Buddhist theory
Sat Jul 6, 2019, 12:21 PM
Jul 2019

that "reality" is merely a projection of mind. The example of the seeming reality of dreams is given as an example.

Anon-C

(3,430 posts)
3. I love the "twin verses" from the Dhammapada...
Sat Jul 6, 2019, 12:30 PM
Jul 2019

The mind is the basis for everything.
Everything is created by my mind, and is ruled by my mind.
When I speak or act with impure thoughts, suffering follows me
As the wheel of the cart follows the hoof of the ox.

The mind is the basis for everything.
Everything is created by my mind, and is ruled by my mind.
When I speak or act with a clear awareness, happiness stays with me.
Like my own shadow, it is unshakeable.

vlyons

(10,252 posts)
12. I'm currently reading, studying the Buddhist philosophies
Sat Jul 6, 2019, 02:11 PM
Jul 2019

on the progressive stages of meditation on emptiness. A slender 100 page volume that is tough reading. There are numerous schools of thought on this topic. My own opinion is that there really is stuff having the properties of mass and potential energy "out there," but all we can know is our own subjective experience about what we perceive through our 6 senses. We can try to be objective about what we experience and observe, that is the scientific approach. But even so, our experience is subjectively influenced by our culture, education, and previous experience. Contemplating the Buddhist teachings on emptiness is one of the best things that ever happened to me.

customerserviceguy

(25,183 posts)
2. Reminds me of 1975
Sat Jul 6, 2019, 12:27 PM
Jul 2019

In Philosophy 101, my prof had me convinced for a few weeks that I had no basis for believing that I even existed.

There's always a new mind-fuck out there somewhere.

 

ADX

(1,622 posts)
5. Discussion of simulation hypothesis always makes me think of this Bible verse...
Sat Jul 6, 2019, 12:37 PM
Jul 2019
"...we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

- 2nd Corinthians 4:18, NKJV...

Me.

(35,454 posts)
8. I Think This Is True
Sat Jul 6, 2019, 01:00 PM
Jul 2019

"the cosmos that we are observing is just a tiny piece of the totality of physical existence"

Marie Marie

(9,999 posts)
11. I need to talk to the being or force directing my life...
Sat Jul 6, 2019, 02:00 PM
Jul 2019

ummmm, we definitely need to make some changes here. Just sayin'...

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