Are We Lving in the Matrix? [Oxford Prof Says There's 20% Chance We're All Living in a Computer]

Wireless Flash News Service ^ | May 13, 2003 | wire report

[ewing]

A Philosophy Professor who teaches at Oxford says there is roughly a 20 percent chance that most humans today are really software created beings living in a virtual reality.

Dr. Nick Bostrum says there is a good chance technology can mature to the point where life like simulation programs are regularly run.

If that is the case there is no way of knowing whether right now youre currently living in real history or a simulation of the year 2003.

However, he says it is equally likely that humans will become extinct before then can develop such advanced computer simulations or lose their interest in simulations entirely.

Bostrom's arguement appears in his new book 'Taking the Red Pill: Science, Philosophy and Religion in the Matrix.'

[ewing]

Chelsea Clintons (and Bubbas) education dollars well spent..

[El Conservador]

This need a paranoid-conspiracy-looney-tune alert

[Brett66]

There's a 99.99% chance of his head being lodged in his posterior.

[SamAdams76]

I'd say there's a 80% chance that this Oxford professor has been tripping on acid.

[ewing]

This is definitely a 'hold muh beer item!'

[Norse]

Well, the fact is, we don't know where the hell we are, so this guy could be right.

[ewing]

lol! Or a 20% chance that he will have severe brain damage as a result..

[SamiGirl]

...one too many LSD trips for the professor.

[Hildy]

More like an 90% chance this Professor is being paid by the producers of THE MATRIX.

[Luna]

Well, I've done the math and statistical analysis, and I came to the conclusion that there is a 100% chance that this guy's philisophy is "way out there."

[dighton]

Nick Bostrom's Home Page

[Cedric]

"Pause" key = cryonics. "Ctr-Alt-Del" = reincarnation. "Page Up" = tax cuts. "Page Dn = socialism. "Insert" key = {I dare not say it.}

[RightWhale]

20% chance? It's worse than that. Wolfram thinks the entire universe might be reduced to 5 lines of code.

[blastdad51]

I think I need a new roll of tin foil......Where's Art Bell when you need him?

[Dr. Frank fan]

A Philosophy Professor who teaches at Oxford says there is roughly a 20 percent chance that most humans today are really software created beings living in a virtual reality.

two things:

-gotta love that use of "roughly". Just in case we thought this "20 percent" might be an exact figure, I guess.

-I understand the basic Matrix hypothesis but not how he can believe that it could apply to "most humans today". How in the world could only "most" humans be "really software beings living in a virtual reality"? What about the rest of the humans, where are they? (Is he one of them?)

[Diogenesis]

On the 0.000000000000020% chance that the sophomore needs a response.

[tophat9000]

Brother with the day I just had... will someone please reboot me?

[mhking]

Too much time on his hands alert!

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

[randog]

If that is the case there is no way of knowing whether right now youre currently living in real history or a simulation of the year 2003.

Impossible. If I were living in a simulation I'd be surrounded by bodacious babes that turned into 6-packs and roast beef sandwiches at midnight.

[Age of Reason]

When I was five years old I already figured out that my brain could really be sitting in a fishtank somewhere with electrodes stuck in it, and I woudln't know the difference.

Could be true, you know.

In fact, sometimes I think that would explain everything.