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Originally posted by blackmetalmist
reply to post by blocula
So let me guess this straight... What I am seeing in this "reality" is what I want to see as oppose to what I really look like (the truth being in my dreams) ?
If that is the case, why is it not possible to change myself into anything I want if this world is really a virtual reality ?
Maybe it is possible if we "truly believed" it 100% which is probably almost impossible to do...
Originally posted by blackmetalmist
reply to post by blocula
So let me guess this straight... What I am seeing in this "reality" is what I want to see as oppose to what I really look like (the truth being in my dreams) ?
If that is the case, why is it not possible to change myself into anything I want if this world is really a virtual reality ?
the super advanced reality computer processes new virtual information and simulated data to keep us in tune with what we think is reality.To keep us locked into this virtual,holographic world.To repair any glitches and viruses that may arise and to program the moment to moment happenings throughout our simulated lives...
Originally posted by blackmetalmist
reply to post by blocula
So let me guess this straight... What I am seeing in this "reality" is what I want to see as oppose to what I really look like (the truth being in my dreams) ?
If that is the case, why is it not possible to change myself into anything I want if this world is really a virtual reality ?
To repair any glitches and viruses that may arise and to program the moment to moment happenings throughout our simulated lives...
The electrons of my hand are interacting with and propelling against the electrons of the table or pillow...
Nick Bostrom's argument/theory:
i. It is possible that an advanced civilization could create a computer simulation which contains individuals with artificial intelligence (AI).
ii. Such a civilization would likely run many, billions for example, of these simulations (just for fun, for research or any other permutation of possible reasons).
iii. A simulated individual inside the simulation wouldn’t necessarily know that it is inside a simulation — it is just going about its daily business in what it considers to be the "real world."
Then the ultimate question is — if one accepts that the above premises are at least possible — which of the following is more likely?
a. We are the one civilization which develops AI simulations and happens not to be in one itself?
b. We are one of the many (billions) of simulations that has run? (Remember point iii.)
Assumptions as to whether the human race (or another intelligent species) could reach such a technological level without destroying themselves depend greatly on the value of the Drake equation, which attempts to calculate the number of intelligent technological species communicating via radio in a galaxy at any given point in time. The expanded equation looks to the number of posthuman civilizations that ever would exist in any given universe. If the average for all universes, real or simulated, is greater than or equal to one such civilization existing in each universe's entire history, then the odds are rather overwhelmingly in favor of the proposition that the average civilization is in a simulation, assuming that such simulated universes are possible and such civilizations would want to run such simulations.
A simple version of this runs as follows: Since the brain in a vat gives and receives exactly the same impulses as it would if it were in a skull, and since these are its only way of interacting with its environment, then it is not possible to tell, from the perspective of that brain, whether it is in a skull or a vat.