Fun fact… I love philosophy. I love breaking the barriers of my mind until I am on the verge of a panic attack. It’s super fun. But have you ever tried to read any philosophy-related text? That stuff is mad dense and a total snooze fest. So, like the good friend I am, I am going to completely simplify some complex ideas and have an interesting conversation about them. For this post, we’re skipping the generic “What’s the meaning of life?” nonsense—we all know the answer to that is 42.
So, Chan, what are we going to discuss?
Great question. Here’s the plan:
- Welcome to the Matrix, Bozo: A cheesy introduction.
- What the hell is the simulation hypothesis?: A breakdown of the theory.
- Signs we might be in a simulation: Because why not fuel the existential dread?
- Why it’s probably bullshit (or not): The counterarguments.
- What should you do whether it’s true or not?: A reality check.
Sounds fun? Yeah, I think so too. Let’s jump in.
Welcome to the Matrix, Bozo
What if I told you we might be living in a giant video game? Cool? Scary? Everything in between? Yeah, I get it. This whole thing really might just be a poorly made Sims game. But let’s discuss all the weird stuff that makes people think we could be in a simulation.
Deja Vu: That weird feeling when you stand there like a ghost and think, “I swear this moment has happened before.” Spooky, right? One explanation under simulation theory? It’s a glitch. The program accidentally reloads itself, kind of like when your TV skips a few frames when it rains.
Trippy? Yeah. And we’re just getting started.
So, What the Hell is the Simulation Hypothesis?
For this, let’s shout out homeboy Nick Bostrom, the writer of Are You Living in a Computer Simulation? He laid out three possibilities. His points can get a bit confusing, so let me break them down in the simplest way possible.
1. Civilizations never reach the level to create simulations.
Imagine you’re playing Minecraft. You want to build a huge, futuristic city, but maybe your computer crashes. Maybe you spend two weeks on it and get bored.
Bostrom suggests that no civilization ever gets smart enough to build an advanced simulation—they either go extinct or just never figure it out.
2. Advanced civilizations exist but don’t care to simulate us.
Back to Minecraft. Let’s say you could build that futuristic city, but you just don’t feel like it. Maybe you have better things to do.
Bostrom suggests that advanced civilizations could simulate reality, but they just don’t bother.
3. We’re already in a simulation.
No analogy needed here. This possibility suggests that we are the video game. Someone out there programmed how we think, feel, and live our normal lives. And the only reason we ever notice weird stuff (like deja vu) is because of the occasional glitch.
Weird Science That Supports It
Is your heart racing? Do you suddenly feel super self-aware? Ah, good old-fashioned existential panic. Stick with me.
1. What if the universe is made of code?
No, not C++ code. But what if reality operates on a set of rules and patterns—kind of like a computer program?
Google James Gates. Smart dude. Studied physics. He found that atoms behave in ways that look suspiciously like computer code. Weird, huh?
2. Quantum Weirdness: The Universe Only Works If You’re Looking
Ever played a game where things only load when you walk toward them? Yeah, the universe might do that too.
The famous double-slit experiment shows that tiny particles act differently when being observed. When nobody’s watching? They behave one way. When someone watches? They change their behavior.
One possible explanation? Reality might be an optimized simulation that only renders things when necessary, saving processing power.
The Counterarguments: Why It’s Bullshit (or not)
For every argument supporting simulation theory, there’s a counterargument. Let’s look at a few.
1. Too Much Computer Power Needed
Simulating an entire universe? That would take an insane amount of computing power. Even with a super-advanced civilization running a giant quantum supercomputer, could they really generate an entire reality in real time without crashing?
We’ve all played buggy games. If this were a simulation, wouldn’t we expect to see some major crashes?
2. The Consciousness Problem
If we’re just part of a computer program, why do we think, feel, and have emotions? Consciousness is still a mystery, and if we were in a simulation, you’d think there’d be some clue about how “thinking” is programmed.
What If It’s True? Does It Even Matter?
If you made it this far, congratulations. You’re either very intrigued or one deep breath away from a meltdown. Either way, let’s take a step back.
Whether we live in a simulation or not… does it change anything? Bills still need to be paid. The dishes still aren’t going to wash themselves. Love? Yeah, go experience it.
The point is: if you feel real, then you probably are. So, no need to stress about whether you’re an NPC in some alien kid’s science project.
Before you start thinking you’ve cracked the code of reality after a questionable LSD trip, maybe hold off on posting your grand revelation to the simulation theory subreddit. Let’s take a deep breath and admit—we still don’t know jack sh*t.
Conclusion: The Existential Takeaway
That was a journey. And honestly? That was an overly simplified version.
We explored the weird deja vu moments. The three possibilities of simulation theory. The arguments for and against it. And, of course, the comforting reminder that none of this actually changes how you live your life.
Now, go enjoy some pizza with your friends. If we are in a simulation, at least give the advanced civilization something entertaining to watch.
