Comic Discussion > QUESTIONABLE CONTENT
WCDT: 2796-2800 (22-26 September 2014) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Is it cold in here?:
Descartes's idea of a demon feeding him false sensory input amounted to a simulation, just not a computer simulation.
T:
--- Quote from: NilsO on 23 Sep 2014, 09:03 ---
--- Quote from: T on 23 Sep 2014, 07:42 ---According to the simulation hypothesis we are most likely a simulation. Does that still qualify as existence for you?
--- End quote ---
Descartes did not know about simulations. Therefore, we can assume he is outdated, even if he did exist.
If we are part of a simulation, it is reasonable to assume that the creators have cheated a bit, to reduce processing time. If nobody is looking at the Moon, it is not necessary to include it in the simulation. Likewise, astronomical objects invisible to the naked eye need not be simulated, unless someone is pointing a telescope in that direction. As our exploration of the physical world intensifies (and the world population increases), the computational resources required will increase exponentially. Sooner or later, the simulation gets too expensive, and someone decides to pull the plug :mrgreen:
--- End quote ---
You can still run the simulation at slower speeds. Inside the simulation time will be slowed down too so to any simulated being nothing has changed.
Or maybe not all people are simulated, maybe only your city is being simulated and any experience or person outside it is not rendered. That trip overseas never happened, the moment you stepped in the plane you ceased to exist just to return to exist some time latter with memories and personal objects updated. Like how Simcity can have people coming from the airport without having to simulate the entire world.
Half Empty Coffee Cup:
--- Quote from: NilsO on 23 Sep 2014, 09:03 ---
--- Quote from: T on 23 Sep 2014, 07:42 ---
--- Quote from: ankhtahr on 22 Sep 2014, 21:42 ---I actually like that idea of Descartes. You can doubt anything. But by doubting anything you already prove that you exist.
--- End quote ---
According to the simulation hypothesis we are most likely a simulation. Does that still qualify as existence for you?
--- End quote ---
Descartes did not know about simulations. Therefore, we can assume he is outdated, even if he did exist.
If we are part of a simulation, it is reasonable to assume that the creators have cheated a bit, to reduce processing time. If nobody is looking at the Moon, it is not necessary to include it in the simulation. Likewise, astronomical objects invisible to the naked eye need not be simulated, unless someone is pointing a telescope in that direction. As our exploration of the physical world intensifies (and the world population increases), the computational resources required will increase exponentially. Sooner or later, the simulation gets too expensive, and someone decides to pull the plug :mrgreen:
--- End quote ---
The proposition that if nobody is around to hear a tree fall in the forest, there is neither sound nor tree.
KOK:
If you are not in the forrest when the tree falls, do you really exist?
Loki:
If you are never in a forest, can a tree ever fall on you?
If you are not a tree, can you ever fall?
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