Is Reality a Simulation?

[crash_davis 23,113]

14 minutes ago, longhornmatt said:

I’m not saying it is.  I’m saying it is based on empathy and believing other people are real and have feelings like your own.  Which the simulation hypothesis removes, unlike other religions.  An atheist can be moral and concerned for other people.  A person who believes he’s in a computer simulation has much less incentive to give a shit about anyone else since they’re just algorithms and not human beings for all he knows. 

Well since we are suspending reality in this discussion (joke intended), I would assume if we are a simulation, the architects of this simulation would understand how important morality is to humanity development. Basic shit like don't kill each other, don't bang each other's significant others which would lead to killing each other, treat others nicely, etc are all vital to forming communities which increase the chance of those groups of people surviving.

ORRRR

Maybe there are multiple simulations running with different variables added and deleted, one of which may be remove morality and throw everyone in the Thunderdome. That would be a hellish simulation to live through.

[crash_davis 23,113]

18 minutes ago, axiom of foundation said:

Ok, even though there aren't formal rules, there is an etiquette we've arrived at.  You can't just jump straight to the end like that.  

Did you need a book, etiquette, or someone to tell you that you want to fuck hot women and marry the hot, not crazy one?

Some shit is just innate.

Edited June 26, 2023 by crash_davis

[Biff Tannen 45,691]

1 hour ago, axiom of foundation said:

7 hours ago, Your Mom said:

 

As best I can tell, covid and election results have caused a loss of faith in humanity and driven people to Jesus.  Except the simulation folks don't care for Jesus, but they do like the internet so they turned to computers instead.   

I would say that social media/internet PLUS covid, election results, and a million other ridiculous instances of asshattery has shown that humans, by and large, are fucking idiots.  We should never have been connected this way.  Before social media and the internet, these dumb fucks would walk around in their bubbles and not hurt the world at large.  Now it is a whole new ballgame.

I would argue the "simulation folks" are just disgusted at what we've seen and, again, it's more comforting to think that we are in a simulation and someone is just fucking with us.  

[Brisketexan 105,154]

39 minutes ago, Biff Tannen said:

I have always thought that Axiom of Truth is just like the Donald Sutherland character in real life.

Well, great.  That's just great.  Now I know what Axiom's ass looks like....

 

Also, if this is a simulation....what I want is just the TINIEST bit of control.  Let me write just one little sliver of programming.  It's a bit I've come up with about me, Sela Ward, and Haylee Atwell.......

[F250 28,779]

14 minutes ago, longhornmatt said:

I’m not saying it is.  I’m saying it is based on empathy and believing other people are real and have feelings like your own.  Which the simulation hypothesis removes, unlike other religions.  An atheist can be moral and concerned for other people.  A person who believes he’s in a computer simulation has much less incentive to give a shit about anyone else since they’re just algorithms and not human beings for all he knows. 

Interesting take but doesn't the ethic of reciprocity exist in gaming? In some games it's to the players advantage to have a friendly coexistence with NPCs. A number of games give players the option of gaining negative, positive or neutral reputation with NPCs. It's also necessary to have similar behavior with other players. FAFO would still apply even if everyone were just characters in a game. If one wants to avoid getting killed, cooperation is necessary and the ethic of reciprocity would apply.

 

[Surly Bevo 25,048]

38 minutes ago, DigglerontheHoof said:

The simulation killed him and replaced him with a simulated fake him.

[Guest]

23 minutes ago, crash_davis said:

Did you need a book, etiquette, or someone to tell you that you want to fuck hot women and marry the hot, not crazy one?

Some shit is just innate.

I'm talking about the etiquette of posting on these types of threads.  The attack on religion comes in due course, usually several pages in.  There is no strict limit, but the timing has to feel right, like in jazz.  You're just rushing a bit is all I'm saying.   

 

14 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Well, great.  That's just great.  Now I know what Axiom's ass looks like....

 

..

I wish.

 

14 minutes ago, F250 said:

Interesting take but doesn't the ethic of reciprocity exist in gaming? In some games it's to the players advantage to have a friendly coexistence with NPCs. A number of games give players the option of gaining negative, positive or neutral reputation with NPCs. It's also necessary to have similar behavior with other players. FAFO would still apply even if everyone were just characters in a game. If one wants to avoid getting killed, cooperation is necessary and the ethic of reciprocity would apply.

That's not the ethic of reciprocity, though.  That's merely symbioses.  The ethic of reciprocity is the obligation to treat others as you would like to be treated, whether it is to your advantage or not.   

Edited June 26, 2023 by axiom of foundation

[crash_davis 23,113]

1 minute ago, axiom of foundation said:

I'm talking about the etiquette of posting on these types of threads.  The attack on religion comes in due course, usually several pages in.  There is no strict limit, but the timing has to feel right, like in jazz.  You're just rushing a bit is all I'm saying.   

Someone questioned the idea of morality without religion. That's bullshit that needs to be called out immediately. If you need some lube before getting your religious delicate panties wet, well that's on you.

[ztejas 43,475]

I'm not sure the leading astrophysicists are using the argument that because Trump got elected and there's climate change we must be in a simulation. 

I mean, maybe your pothead cousin Jerry is using that logic. 

I think the general idea behind it is the parameters and inputs were set and now it's playing out. 

I mean I can go buy a gun and murder all my coworkers tomorrow and then burn the building down. Would that be "simulated"?

[Guest]

14 minutes ago, crash_davis said:

Someone questioned the idea of morality without religion. That's bullshit that needs to be called out immediately. If you need some lube before getting your religious delicate panties wet, well that's on you.

No sense of rhythm with this one.  Just banging away.   

[crash_davis 23,113]

1 minute ago, axiom of foundation said:

No sense of rhythm with this one.  Just banging away.   

lulz. Ok....we are on a thread about reality being a simulation but we have to be gentle and poetic in how we build up to the religion talk.

[Pig Bellmont 8,719]

This might be the dumbest thread posted in DT. 

[bschoolprof 6,263]

I don't really like my simulation.  I mean it's fine I guess, but could I get the "male hetero porn star" simulation?

[Brisketexan 105,154]

8 minutes ago, Pig Bellmont said:

This might be the dumbest thread posted in DT. 

May I interest you in a ride down to the Titanic in a modified propane tank?

[crash_davis 23,113]

Just now, Brisketexan said:

May I interest you in a ride down to the Titanic in a modified propane tank?

the thin line between dumbest and classics is a few expertly placed gifs.

[Brisketexan 105,154]

1 minute ago, crash_davis said:

the thin line between dumbest and classics is a few expertly placed gifs.

There, I fixed this thread.

[Guest]

Just now, crash_davis said:

lulz. Ok....we are on a thread about reality being a simulation but we have to be gentle and poetic in how we build up to the religion talk.

It should be obvious that I'm joking about the delivery, not the message.  No buildup, no sarcasm, no humor, no subtle condescension.   If you really want to be ungentle, then you need to put in at least a little bit of effort.  

 

     

[Newdoc 3,448]

If this is a simulation then I would like to speak with the manager.

[Nicole44 22,061]

1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

Well, great.  That's just great.  Now I know what Axiom's ass looks like....

 

Also, if this is a simulation....what I want is just the TINIEST bit of control.  Let me write just one little sliver of programming.  It's a bit I've come up with about me, Sela Ward, and Haylee Atwell.......

Oddly enough I know someone who knows her. Currently I am trying to convince my friend to persuade Sela (it’s my friend’s mom who knows her) to show up for a Surly tailgate. That’s the best I can do for you @BrisketexanSince 99% of y’all do not show up at these events I am guessing if she does it will prove that life is not a simulation? 

[Brisketexan 105,154]

4 minutes ago, Nicole44 said:

Oddly enough I know someone who knows her. Currently I am trying to convince my friend to persuade Sela (it’s my friend’s mom who knows her) to show up for a Surly tailgate. That’s the best I can do for you @BrisketexanSince 99% of y’all do not show up at these events I am guessing if she does it will prove that life is not a simulation? 

I assure you that if I actually met Ms. Ward, my awkward attempts at banter with her would be so bad that you would conclude "nobody is that awkward in real life....this HAS to be a simulation."  Yet....the awkwardness is a key element of my abundant charm.

[Nicole44 22,061]

Just now, Brisketexan said:

I assure you that if I actually met Ms. Ward, my awkward attempts at banter with her would be so bad that you would conclude "nobody is that awkward in real life....this HAS to be a simulation."  Yet....the awkwardness is a key element of my abundant charm.

If she does show up y’all try not to treat her like ass, like some posters routinely treat me all the time. I show up at this shit fairly frequently and I still get crapped on. I’d never convince her to post here. Lulz. Me with our Tight Ends at the Burnt Ends event on May 28 of this year. If that’s ok to post. If not, the mods can strike me down. I’ve met most of the mods too. 

[Brisketexan 105,154]

2 minutes ago, Nicole44 said:

If she does show up y’all try not to treat her like ass, like some posters routinely treat me all the time. I show up at this shit fairly frequently and I still get crapped on. I’d never convince her to post here. Lulz. Me with our Tight Ends at the Burnt Ends event on May 28 of this year. If that’s ok to post. If not, the mods can strike me down. I’ve met most of the mods too. 

Rest assured, I never crap on a woman.

Unless she's German, and specifically requests it.  After all, I'm a gentleman.  In THIS simulation, at least.

Edited June 26, 2023 by Brisketexan

[Nicole44 22,061]

If life were a simulation would they still be working in I-35?

Or…if life were a simulation would the following be shown on tv for me to screen cap it? I still think it had to be a joke? Right? That storm knocked her up? 

[HonkeyVape 107]

I've always interpreted the "We are living in a simulation" to be the 21st century version of Brain in a vat thought problem, which, from my vague recollection of reading about in Aeon Weekly or something, is a proper point of view, in that it could potentially be possible and is plausible-- while it is also at this point in time un-provable. It's like solipsism in that way, which I've always really appreciated.

I probably put more credence than most because I try to anchor my view of the world with as much of a deconstructed ego as possible, which brings me to the core belief that I'm a spiritual being (eternal) who is merely experiencing (enduring, even) a physical experience for the 70 or 80 years that I have. So I can see how the physical is a material manifest-- whether that be "real" in terms of organic material living and working together at a molecular and cellular level or if it's "real" in terms of my electrical and chemical brain making it so, it doesn't really matter.

And so the fact it can't be proven doesn't really matter either. The mysteries of faith.

 

Edited June 26, 2023 by HonkeyVape

['stache 21,819]

When the simulationists start flying planes into buildings and suppressing civil rights through legislation let me know so I can start giving a fuck how many people actually believe it and how many people are just going with the meme.

[Nicole44 22,061]

[Pato del Muerto 52,524]

Maybe we aren’t even in a simulation that tries to simulate real life, but are some 6 year old’s current sim city game?  And he doesn’t pay any attention to us but likes to mash the natural disaster button. 

[crash_davis 23,113]

1 minute ago, Pato del Muerto said:

Maybe we aren’t even in a simulation that tries to simulate real life, but are some 6 year old’s current sim city game?  And he doesn’t pay any attention to us but likes to mash the natural disaster button. 

well, he needs to sim me banging Jennifer Connelly and have the sim get in an endless loop there. if he could also add Anal to the quest, i would be forever indebted. 

[TexArcher 37,977]

You can all simulate these nuts.

[crash_davis 23,113]

1 minute ago, TexArcher said:

You can all simulate these nuts.

thank god you didn't say stimulate.

[Brisketexan 105,154]

1 minute ago, TexArcher said:

You can all simulate these nuts.

Already been done....

[F250 28,779]

31 minutes ago, Nicole44 said:

Uh, I think everyone here would be cool with jumping back to age 25 even without the money incentive.

[Pescado_Rojo 19,423]

51 minutes ago, Nicole44 said:

If life were a simulation would they still be working in I-35?

Or…if life were a simulation would the following be shown on tv for me to screen cap it? I still think it had to be a joke? Right? That storm knocked her up? 

Delta Winds is a terrible name for a porn star. 

[crash_davis 23,113]

4 minutes ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

Delta Winds is a terrible name for a porn star. 

unless she's an anal star. but then i feel sorry for her co-workers.

[Helobious 9,462]

2 hours ago, ztejas said:

I'm not sure the leading astrophysicists are using the argument that because Trump got elected and there's climate change we must be in a simulation. 

I mean, maybe your pothead cousin Jerry is using that logic. 

I think the general idea behind it is the parameters and inputs were set and now it's playing out. 

I mean I can go buy a gun and murder all my coworkers tomorrow and then burn the building down. Would that be "simulated"?

Remind me to never work at your company

[Brisketexan 105,154]

10 minutes ago, crash_davis said:

unless she's an anal star. but then i feel sorry for her co-workers.

[crash_davis 23,113]

6 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

[Topper13 3,368]

The Why Files did an episode on this some months back, it's a fun watch:

The Why Files is a great sub, btw. 

[RDCanecutter 26,452]

1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

Rest assured, I never crap on a woman.

Unless she's German, and specifically requests it.  After all, I'm a gentleman.  In THIS simulation, at least.

[csb] I told it before and I'll tell it again.

Scene: Me working at a restaurant talking to A___, a wiry semi-toothed busser/fixer/garbage-hauler with a laissez faire attitude to consonant clusters and verb endings. Probably the landlord's secret outside child or maybe Jesus Returned walking among us.

Me and the bartender are yapping about something, and A___ slides up and shares:

"Hey RD! Hey RD! I ever tell you bout how I make a hundred dollah shittin on dood chest?"

--you did WUT?

"Yeah RD I got this frin, my frin he know a pervert pay a dood a hundred dollah shit on his chest."

--To shit on his CHEST?

"On his chest. Umhum. Dood a pervert. So I go 'Hell I shit on his chest,' so I go over there and shit on dood chest. Got my hundred dollah."

--Is that a hundred dollars before, or after, taxes?

"Taxes?! BWAHAHAHAA! YOU KNOW THEY AIN NO TAXES FOR SHITTIN ON DOOD CHEST!"

[/csb]

 

[Nicole44 22,061]

I got vision, and the rest of the world wears bifocals…

[gofuckyourself 8,339]

TIL I have a different definition of cool story.

[atomheartbevo 89,727]

1 hour ago, Pato del Muerto said:

Maybe we aren’t even in a simulation that tries to simulate real life, but are some 6 year old’s current sim city game?  And he doesn’t pay any attention to us but likes to mash the natural disaster button. 

That would explain so much about Austin.

3 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

Also, if this is a simulation....what I want is just the TINIEST bit of control.  Let me write just one little sliver of programming.  It's a bit I've come up with about me, Sela Ward, and Haylee Atwell.......

Sorry would-be Eskimo brother, I'm already on version 2.0.

[atomheartbevo 89,727]

1 hour ago, Nicole44 said:

That is a nice little exercise that mentally takes you down a lot of rabbit holes.  Going back to 10 knowing what we know, all of us would channel our inner Beavis and be focused on scoring in a few years.

58 minutes ago, F250 said:

Uh, I think everyone here would be cool with jumping back to age 25 even without the money incentive.

[Kyrie Eleison 9,312]

Nick Bostrom is an idiot...stop sucking his deek.

 

[RDCanecutter 26,452]

1 hour ago, Nicole44 said:

That's simple. I go back as the wise 10-year-old, blackmail my dad into doing right while at the same time pimping out a couple of his truck stop girlfriends for cash-flow. Then I'd bet on whichever sporting events I remember watching, and it should be easy to have a 50 million pile at age 25, or more, because I'd be an evil demonic little beast child and probably not long for this world.

[ClubWhatever 12,145]

2 hours ago, Nicole44 said:

If she does show up y’all try not to treat her like ass, like some posters routinely treat me all the time. I show up at this shit fairly frequently and I still get crapped on. I’d never convince her to post here. Lulz. Me with our Tight Ends at the Burnt Ends event on May 28 of this year. If that’s ok to post. If not, the mods can strike me down. I’ve met most of the mods too. 

You're a tall drink of water.  Simulated. 

[Mole 4,333]

10 hours ago, Pato del Muerto said:

What if there is a simulation in which the simulated reality develops the means to simulate reality, and we are in THAT simulation?

Isn’t that the core idea of the simulation theory?
 

That eventually we’ll have the computing power to simulate reality, so there will be lots of simulated realities in our reality; eventually those realities would also go through the same process; eventually there would be billions upon billions of simulated realities many realities deep, I guess up to the limits of whatever are the limits of the  “real” reality’s computing power.

Since there would be many billions of simulated realities and just one “real” one, probability would lead us to believe that we are unlikely to be in the real one.

At least that’s my understanding of the theory. I’m not a proponent, but it’s a fun diversion to think about in the off season.

Edited June 26, 2023 by Mole

[Pato del Muerto 52,524]

But that’s moot until we actually create one, proving it can be done. 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Kyrie Eleison said:

Nick Bostrom is an idiot...stop sucking his deek.

 

Since some on this forum don’t pick up on subtle mockery, or even blatant mockery:

I am not a proponent of the simulation hypothesis.  The think it is ridiculous.  This topic came up in another thread and several posters expressed their belief in it, which was surprising to me. Going by the poll, somewhere around 1/4 to 1/3 of posters here think it is true.  Direct your low quality gifs at those posters and not the ones who are very obviously not in favor of It.  

Edited June 26, 2023 by axiom of foundation

[ultimaton 2,981]

I'm mocking other's beliefs because they are completely ridiculous when compared to my own sincerely held belief that an omnipotent god got mad and threw us out of paradise because a talking snake convinced a woman to eat an apple that one time.