I stumbled across this video news story today on msnbc. It's basically the same story I pointed out in my article "Are We Just A Computer Simulation"
It's one thing to read about it, but hearing people discuss it is an entirely different feeling. This is a javascript link, so I hope it works OK. Watch it here. You'll have to deal with an ad before the actual video, sorry.
If that doesn't work, try msnbc.com->Tech and Science, and look at the right hand side of the page under "Technology and Science Video." The link is called "Living in a simulation."
The thing I don't like about this particular discussion is that it makes light of the possible individual(s)/consciousness(es) running the simulation and how they might view the simulation. I think it is extremely naive to cast them in such an anthropomorphic mold. They are probably so advanced in their technology/intelligence/emotions that trying to understand their motives is harder than it is for an earthworm to understand ours.
The part where they talk about everyone holding up signs to tell the creator that we've figured it all out is quite amusing. I do agree with the perspective that even if we are living in a simulation, we simply need to go on living our lives the same way. Regardless of how our universe got here, it's all we've got.
Woah. I just found a totally cool existential video series.
"What We Still Don't Know -- Are We Real?"
#5 features our old pal, Nick Bostrom, and simulated reality!
I'm so excited about this from my skimming it that I had to post this right away, even though I haven't seen it all yet. I'm going to watch the whole thing now:
#1: Is it necessary to explain life than with anything but a few simple rules?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=38QK7pe_dOQ
#2:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sTX4nP992c0
#3:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2W3d11E95MI
#4:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fplhEO2bSxc
#5:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=iJf6suvXAgY
jbravo
5 Comments
"What We Still Don't Know -- Are We Real?"
#5 features our old pal, Nick Bostrom!
I'm so excited about this from my skimming it that I had to post this right away, even though I haven't seen it all yet. I'm going to watch the whole thing now...
#1: Is it necessary to explain life than with anything but a few simple rules?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=38QK7pe_dOQ
#2:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sTX4nP992c0
#3:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2W3d11E95MI
#4:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fplhEO2bSxc
#5:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=iJf6suvXAgY
All I have to say is that I'm absolutely floored. This video is like the culmination of everything I've been researching for the last 4 months.
http://video.google.com/v...ocid=-7044753105944203252
Also, the host in the video, Sir Martin Rees has a page on channel 4 (UK) that covers 3 "What Will Still Don't Know" topics:
Are We Alone?
Why Are We Here?
Are We Real?
"Are We Real" is the above video. I think there are videos for the other two, but I can't find any that work.
Hey you know AdGuy always gets the last word! ;)