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.'

[ThinkDifferent]

It would certainly explain quantum mechanics.

Right. The collapse of the wave function seems rather similar to lazy evaluation programming techniques, where you don't bother computing a result until you actually need it. Now we just need to find a buffer overflow and gain root access...

[CyberCowboy777]

Got Root?

/.

[bribriagain]

"42"

You know, I really don't appreciate your giving out the answer to the test question.

[Prodigal Son]

lazy evaluation programming techniques, where you don't bother computing a result until you actually need it

What's this? (serious question)

[perfect stranger]

I'm sure it was. The other version no doubt mentioned enjoying it. Yikes!!!

I think you have put me off of reading about Quantum Physics for a few months. LOL

[gcruse]

I know I am real. The possibility that all the rest of you are computer generated would explain a lot.

[JenB]

Not in base 13... in base 13, you get 42...

[Prodigal Son]

The other version involved Stephen Hawking and a tutu ;-)

[SpaceBar]

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.

The above statement proves with 100% certainty that Oxford's payroll is overfunded.

[Batrachian]

That's OK. Nobody knows what the actual question is.

[perfect stranger]

You indeed are a much braver man than I to contemplate these possibilities.

[Prodigal Son]

You indeed are a much braver man than I to contemplate these possibilities.

It's not something I do conciously. It seems to be an affliction of some sort.

[JenB]

Yes, but HitchHiker's Guide was never specific on what base the ultimate answer was in. Why assume 10? That's decimalism. Maybe the pan-dimensional mice use base 13, and therefore their computers are based on 13. In which case, 6x9 = 42 base13

[perfect stranger]

I will sleep soundly tonight knowing of another universe where Parallel Universes don't exist.

[bribriagain]

"That's OK. Nobody knows what the actual question is."

OK, so what's the virtual question?

[JenB]

Well, theoretically, yes, but in base 5 the question would have been "What is 11 x 21?"

Sorry. I'm a geek and I'm excited about The Matrix Reloaded. The actual topic of the thread is interesting, but a "meaningless question" from our point of view. Does it make any differnce in your daily life if you only think you're real?