Are we "real-life" Sims? (PurpleRoses)

"Simulated reality is the proposition that reality could be simulated—perhaps by computer simulation—to a degree indistinguishable from "true" reality. It could contain conscious minds which may or may not be fully aware that they are living inside a simulation. In its strongest form, the "simulation hypothesis" claims it is entirely possible and even probable that we are living in a simulated reality. This is quite different from the current, technologically achievable concept of virtual reality. Virtual reality is easily distinguished from the experience of actuality; participants are never in doubt about the nature of what they experience. Simulated reality, by contrast, would be hard or impossible to separate from "true" reality. As documented in this article, there has been much debate over this topic, ranging from philosophical discourse to practical applications in computing."- Wikipedia article

So this is the basic theory I want to discuss. Many of you are familiar with the game "The Sims". You make your characters, you chose their looks, attributes, families, careers,etc. You control every aspect of their existence. Some people believe we could potentially be Sims. Instead of being made by God or evolution, we are computer generated. It is similar to the idea of living in The Matrix.

To me, this idea is of course extremely off putting and disturbing. If you have seen the Matrix movies, the people had no idea they were in basically captivity. They were in a paradisaical place created my the machines. When I first heard of this hypothesis, I was rather amused. I remember laughing it off. Then I gave it more thought. Asking "What if?" sends a frisson of dread up and down my spine.

To my knowledge, we still don't fully know what consciousness is. There are multiple levels. Drugs change what we perceive, so do things like music and dance. We try to map the brain, but it seems to not be quite so cut and dried. People may lose large portions of their brain through stroke or accident and still regain everything or nearly everything they lost. This seems to indicate one of two things: the brain is capable of more than we thought (i.e. more elastic, less compartmentalized, or consciousness does not rest in the brain.If consciousness does not rest in the brain, from whence does it originate? If consciousness is not limited to our organic matter, what is it made of? If it is energy, what is the energy? What set it in motion and what sustains it?

We also have things like ESP, the "clairs" (sentience, audience, voyance,and cognizance), apportation,and miracles that don't conform to what we think we know about "true" reality. How shall we explain telepathy? The fact that people's thoughts can influence a sleeping person's dreams? What about remote viewing? How is this possible if the material world is all there is?

If we come to the conclusion that the physical world is not in fact all there is to "consciousness" or existence, what is the rest? From what most people say, where you go is dependent very much on your mindset and intentions. In fact, many people say EVERYTHING in the spiritual/non-material realms is dependent on the mind. I had a dream/OBE where I was decorating an entire room with only my mind. Sounds similar to The Matrix to me.

Besides the overwhelming mind powers, people say the space,time, and physics are different. They say that there is enough room for everyone. Many NDE survivors say there was no time. Some say you can float/fly as well so no gravity to speak of. They also talk about not having any biological issues to attend to, such as bathing, using the bathroom, sleeping, eating, procreation/physical intimacy. This is very foreign to many/most of us. These things are necessary to our survival and well being. How could we be"alive" without these things?

This brings me to another point. What is life? If you go to the dictionary I am sure that carrying out these biological processes is the textbook definition of life. Therefore if we continued to exist after said processes ceased, we would be "dead". If there is a part of us that continues existence without self-sustenance through biological processes such as consuming and eliminating food for energy, how does it exist? Where do the meadows, flowers,, animals, buildings, and people that people say exist on "the Other Side" actually reside?

With all this, I will sum up with a final point. We are all at least somewhat familiar with "virtual reality". It is machinery and other devices to trick your physical body/organs into believing what they perceive is actually happening to them. What if consciousness itself is simply one big, 100% immersive "virtual reality"? This could explain why people can do anything with their minds after they are freed from physical limitations (aka "death"). Everyone can have anything they want on "the Other Side". House, clothes, friends, pets etc. that you want. If consciousness is simulated and the items are simulated, is there a "true reality" at all?

I would like to wrap up with a couple discussion questions: 1. Do you believe in this simulated consciousness theory? 2. If not how do you explain consciousness? 3. Does the idea that this theory is a (possibly slight) possibility bother you? 4. If this is true, who controls the simulation? Those are the only questions I can think of off of the top of my head. Please chime in with anything you want to add/discuss. I know it is pretty stupid to be concerned about something that is literally the plot of a sci-fi movie, but I have always tried to cling to true reality... I feel most comfortable knowing that there is a solid foundation. I think I made the painting analogy before...Let's say the "Other Side" was a painting, I would rather it be the Mona Lisa (or some other finished piece) rather than a blank canvas. The simulated consciousness theory also makes you think about exactly who/what you actually are. Ok, Please discuss. Sorry so long, I had to be thorough to give this a good foundation for understanding.

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