I hear a lot of talk about "The Simulation".
If we live in a simulation, but it's not possible to "hack" the simulation to get the outcome you'd prefer without going through the same steps you'd have to go through if you didn't live in a simulation, then of what use is the idea? None. It's utterly useless.
If this isn't a simulation, to have success you have to have the right idea at the right time, put in lots of work (in just the right way), and also be very lucky.
If this is a simulation you have to do the exact same thing to achieve success. There's no hidden button you can discover and push to hack the system without doing all the work. Even those who imagine there is a "hack" they've found seem to be fooling themselves about how much work (and luck) goes into the results they see.
So, either way, would it make any difference whether or not we live in a simulation? A difference which makes no difference is no difference.
Just sent (paypal) another $20 for the kitten expenses..
ReplyDeleteThank you! We appreciate it a lot.
DeleteI love this question. The idea of life as a simulation (though tempting because of occasional "glitches") is similar to, if not identical to, the old Buddhist idea of life as illusion. It reminds me of a very old story.
ReplyDeleteThere was an old monk and a young monk walking through the jungle and the young monk was drinking in the old monk's talk about how all life is an illusion.
Suddenly, out of the trees came a thundering bull elephant in full musth. The young monk serenely stayed in his path while the old munk wisely dove into the trees.
The young monk was trampled in an instant, and the old monk sorrowfully went to his side as he lay dying.
"Why didn't you get out of the way, young one?" he asked.
"Master, you said all life is illusion!" gasped the dying monk.
"It's true, all life is illusion," said the old monk. "You, me, that elephant. But we are all part of the same illusion and must abide by the same rules!"
Yep.
DeleteI just wonder at the usefulness of acknowledging the illusion if it makes no difference to how one must behave. Thoughts?