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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
Posted on 05/14/2003 4:13:00 PM PDT by 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.'
(Excerpt) Read more at ncbuy.com ...
TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: heavydrugs; looneytune; matrix; oxford; prof; taketheredpill; tinfoil; toomuchtv
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To: ewing
The really terrifying question is: What if the operating system our software selves are executing on is as buggy as Microsoft's?
21
posted on
05/14/2003 4:25:43 PM PDT
by
dpwiener
To: blastdad51
Sounds like the guy is angling to be Art Bell's new co-host..
22
posted on
05/14/2003 4:25:48 PM PDT
by
ewing
To: ewing
he might be right
To: randog
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. Depends.
In my case, the mad scientist controlling the dials could be an ex-girlfriend, for all the fun I'm having.
To: ewing
Oxford says there is roughly a 20 percent chance that most humans today are really software created beings living in a virtual reality. Well, my family would tell you I practically live in my computer.
25
posted on
05/14/2003 4:27:03 PM PDT
by
SuziQ
To: SuziQ
00100111001. 00110111010101111. 0010101110111010010011. Need a date? LOL/JK
To: ewing
Cogito Ergo Sum.
This is not original. In the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy the entire planet Earth was a computer simulation.
42
To: tophat9000
Ctrl-Alt-Delete. though normally I find sleeping does a much better job.
28
posted on
05/14/2003 4:31:56 PM PDT
by
widgysoft
(< Yay for £, Boo for the € >)
To: dpwiener
What if the operating system our software selves are executing on is as buggy as Microsoft's? It already is.
To: ewing
control-alt-delete.
30
posted on
05/14/2003 4:32:32 PM PDT
by
mystery-ak
(The War is not over for me until my hubby's boots hit U.S. soil)
To: ewing
No way. I refuse to think that a Hillary Clinton would exist in a matrix.
To: ewing
Then again, we all may be figments of somethings imagination. Chew on that, Monica.
32
posted on
05/14/2003 4:35:48 PM PDT
by
Waco
To: mystery-ak
I think you just came up with the new republican slogan to finally bury the democrats.
33
posted on
05/14/2003 4:36:43 PM PDT
by
jetson
To: Paul Atreides
Although Hillary's husband was our first virtual President.
34
posted on
05/14/2003 4:37:09 PM PDT
by
Cedric
To: Batrachian
This is not original. In the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy the entire planet Earth was a computer simulation. Slartibartfast wants to have a word with you....as soon as the dolphins leave.
35
posted on
05/14/2003 4:37:39 PM PDT
by
Focault's Pendulum
(Living under a rock is looking better every day.)
To: dpwiener
What if the operating system our software selves are executing on is as buggy as Microsoft's? Easy. Then we'll just call it Life XP and sell our souls for an upgrade.
To: Waco
Butterfly. Chinese Emperor. Butterfly. Chinese Emperor. Whatever.
37
posted on
05/14/2003 4:39:08 PM PDT
by
dark_lord
(The Statue of Liberty now holds a baseball bat and she's yelling 'You want a piece of me?')
To: Cedric
I thought that Algore was almost our first virtual president. He is artificial, right?
To: ewing
This explains those cold sores around my mouth.
To: ewing
40
posted on
05/14/2003 4:44:05 PM PDT
by
Petronski
(I'm not always cranky.)
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