Furthermore, it’s possible that a simulated reality contains a civilization that evolves to become complex enough to simulate reality, too! In theory, this can go on forever.
In scenarios 1 and 2, there is no chance you are living in a simulation. Since humanity is yet to create a computer powerful enough to simulate consciousness, this seems like a safe bet. In scenario 3, it is possible you are living in a simulation, although there is still a chance you’re in the base reality and humanity hasn’t been around long enough to create sentience. It’s important to note that Bostrom’s argument isn’t that we are living in a simulation, just that it’s possible we’re living in a simulation.
In scenarios 1 and 2, there is no chance you are living in a simulation. Since humanity is yet to create a computer powerful enough to simulate consciousness, this seems like a safe bet. In scenario 3, it is possible you are living in a simulation, although there is still a chance you’re in the base reality and humanity hasn’t been around long enough to create sentience. It’s important to note that Bostrom’s argument isn’t that we are living in a simulation, just that it’s possible we’re living in a simulation.
In scenarios 1 and 2, there is no chance you are living in a simulation. Since humanity is yet to create a computer powerful enough to simulate consciousness, this seems like a safe bet. In scenario 3, it is possible you are living in a simulation, although there is still a chance you’re in the base reality and humanity hasn’t been around long enough to create sentience. It’s important to note that Bostrom’s argument isn’t that we are living in a simulation, just that it’s possible we’re living in a simulation.
In scenarios 1 and 2, there is no chance you are living in a simulation. Since humanity is yet to create a computer powerful enough to simulate consciousness, this seems like a safe bet. In scenario 3, it is possible you are living in a simulation, although there is still a chance you’re in the base reality and humanity hasn’t been around long enough to create sentience. It’s important to note that Bostrom’s argument isn’t that we are living in a simulation, just that it’s possible we’re living in a simulation.
There are 3 episodes of Rick and Morty that deal with this specific scenario if you’re interested (season 1 (episode 4), season 2 (episode 2), and season 6 (episode 2).
This could also be a potential explanation for a lot of unexplainable scientific mysteries, like the movement of quarks, or the vastness of space.
It’s possible that at some point, humanity created an artificial intelligence that was so powerful, it could functionally recreate the world as it sees fit. This is sort of the plot of the Terminator series! Let’s hope our robots are a bit nicer.
We run simulations of our own all the time. We run tests to simulate what the weather might be or if the Chicago Bears will make the playoffs this year. If we’re willing to run simulations for mundane things, why wouldn’t we run simulations for bigger problems?
This is a bit of a darker scenario. If a hyperintelligent being is willing to just create life because they’re bored, what’s the point of all this?
Most simulation models are designed with certain parameters. Like the movie Tron, simulated entities shouldn’t be designed to leave by default.
With this perspective in mind, it may be worth not even proposing the question, “How do I escape the simulation?” You have no way of knowing when you’re out, so why bother?
People debate what this would actually look like in practice, but it might be as simple as plugging a hard drive into a really powerful computer and transferring your consciousness.
Many people believe the Mandela Effect (false memories shared by multiple people) and ghosts are signs that we’re not living in base reality.
If you shake enough people awake and you make a big of enough splash in your personal life, you may catch the attention of the folks running the simulation, who may reveal themselves. This is basically the plot of the movie Free Guy, a fun movie from 2020 about an NPC in a video game breaking the rules! Don’t try to get the simulator’s attention by harming people or the environment. They would be unlikely to pull you out if you’re destructive.
A lot of people who fall into this rabbit hole find themselves experiencing existential dread. If you do get depressed or anxious over this, stop looking into it and reach out to a psychiatrist for help. Simulation theory is a ton of fun to read and think about, but there’s no direct evidence it’s real. Have fun with the thought experiment!
