I find it much more impressive that there exists a self extrapolating system. One that contains both dissipative and catalytic reactions. That the catalytic reactions could evolve into a complex encoding and storage system, eventually becoming self aware is way cooler than if was all just made as is.

OP, it is certainly possible that you are right. I would not rule out the possibility that we are in for all intensive purposes "the matrix".

I believe the next advancements in our understanding of the world will be simulations of reality. If we could create accurate mathematical algorithms, we could determine the effects multiple variables have on each other. The scientific method does it's best to reduce everything to one variable, however it can't always do so without bias and requires hours upon hours of research. Problematically, Synergy exists where the sum of all parts is not equal to the whole, so reducing everything to one variable, without considering how something does within a particular system of multiple variables can be problematic. If you thought water put out fire because you tested water on fire, but failed to realize it was a grease fire you could end up making it worse. Computer simulations to be made to more and more accurately represent reality so that billions of experiments can be done without doing the experiments and compared to an actual experiment as well as testing both in reality and on computer in different situations could help determine multiple causes and effects rather than trying to identify a single one.

Computer simulations of reality in the future will have to be made, and the advancements to make them closer and closer to accurate simulations of realities will likely take place. Further more, the "holographic" nature of reality is exactly how a computer might make it to limit the processing power. You could then have a limited computation within an unlimited space. If you look at a computer program with "fractals" as an example, you can see how this works, it is an infinite loop where the information contained within a single atom would contain all the information of the universe. E=MC squared proves there is a tremendous amount of energy in a very limited amount of space. Assuming civilizations advance in technology, it is entirely possible that a civilization already has reached that point throughout history, and they would run simulations billions of times, so we could very well be "a computer program" just like the "matrix", and the set of rules that govern the reality "outside of the matrix" would have to be extremely similar. Mathematically if you consider the possibility that there are probably millions or billions of planets just like us in this universe, and the number of simulations done both to run tests, as well as to predict the future as well as the past, it's entirely possible that there is a "programmer", and probably more likely than not that we are in fact a program. Unfortunately, we could just be a giant "game" of civilization, which would explain why there has been so many wars. The programmer may not realize the extent of the pain that each of us feel, thinking it's "humane" or that the "simulated pain" saving "real pain" justifies the action.

Thanks OP it is refreshing to read a genuinely imaginative and thought provoking thread

Can't add much but I have learned much.

I wonder if God, THE master programmer of everything, assossiates himself with the word god. As the master creator wouldnt He look at himself in reguards to us humans much like a father looks to his son? Since God is our creator/arcitect of all this, are angels just like computer programmers here on earth that just make minor corrections in code and update software? Maybe angels arnt anything like God but work closely with Him. The only lifeforms in existence that have the mind to understand everything he asks or sais. If God sent his angels to make adjustments here would we ever catch a glimpse of one, or maybe label them aliens if we did? I wouldnt doubt that whatever came befor us and so on was created by God. I wouldnt doubt that our DNA has been modified at different times in ancient history either. Maybe our next step in evolution is to wake up and transcend to relieve the position of angel and be the next programmers, or maybe its to be a lab rat. Either way I like reading about the possibilities. Good thread.

Originally posted by westcoast
There is HUGE difference between macro and micro evolution. Of course we adapt. Over the past several thousand years our bones have changed slightly, the way our muscles attach, the amount of hair, our teeth and perhaps even our brains. This is how we have adapted to our environment and diets. That is something completely different from saying that the extremely complex human body changed from a tadpole, to a lizard, to a monkey to a man. It simply doesn't make sense and hasn't even come close to being even remotely proven.

Nope. No poop there...not even a bunny turd.

Let's burn this enormous strawman down, shall we.

First, you need to go read a science book and understand what microevolution and macroevolution really is. Second, no scientist cliams we came from a monkey, rather a common ancestor.

Microevolution is just the change of allele frequency within organisms; think small progression. Macroevolution is the change of allele frequency among species. Macroevolution happens during speciation; i.e. when two species can no longer successfully breed.

A simple analogy is this:



If you accept microevolution, you also must accept macroevolution. They both happen simultaneously whether you like it or not.

What we call reality, Is an application, stored on a logic proccessor...
(im done)
Point made, in full...

I will "not" debate the posibillty of this; because its imposible to discredit this theory...

(O.P.)
Nice thoughts... Thx for posting...

Here is another way of looking at it

I have a theory: If god exists..And he was the creator of the world etc, etc..Does that mean when he was creating the 'Dog' he purposely put his name there backwards?
Cause According to the bible; God is in us all, and he is also the father of Jesus. So that means God is a man. 'Dog' is the exact opposite of God, and the only person that I can see that is so extremely opposite to God is the Devil..
So if all this Is correct, then God is a man, and The Devil is a dog..
And everywhere you go, people will always tell you that a Dog is a man's best friend..

That can only mean one thing..God and Satan are best friends, sitting in the immortal realm deciding how to play out their game of Monopoly: Universe Edition.

The idea that there must have been a Master Programmer for this complexity to arise seems bassackward to me.

Suppose for a minute that you are this Omni-guy who knows everything and can do anything. If you were at some point (after creating the Universes and other fun things) going to create Man why would you make him so complex? Wouldn't a slightly more complex and sentient mannequin or, say an Elmo doll work just as well? You might say that those wouldn't be able to move, think or reproduce. Sure they would, you are Omni-guy and you can do anything!

"Let there be Elmo guy!"

*poof!*

"Let Elmo guy think, move and stuff!"

*poof!*

And Omni-guy saw it was good and began to think about Barbie girl.

Kind of a reverse Occum's Razor.