The Computational Requirements for the Matrix

goombah99 writes "Nick Bostrom discusses the computational requirements needed to simulate human existence. He offers a proof based on the anthropic principle, that you are almost certainly a computer simulation and not "real". The idea is that given that humans don't go extinct in geologically short time then eventually computer capability will allow complete simulation of the human cortex. Consequently, there must be far more simulations running in future millennia than seconds since you were born. Thus its astronomically more likely you are a simulation than real ... if humans don't go extinct shortly. Recalling the 13th floor, Robin Hanson discusses how one should try to live in a simulation. David Wolpert also weighs in on the physical limits of Turing machines for simulation of the universe. This also may explain why time travel seems impossible: we dont meet visitors from the future since only the present is being simulated."

Comments

Re:screw you

[cfscript]

i'm working to debunk idiots like you.

if you don't have to work on monday, it's because you are either rich enough as you don't have to, you're making an excuse to the fact you have monday off, or you're a slack-assed slive of shit.

if your troubles don't disappear after getting off your ass, i think it's time to recognize your actual problems. 99.9% of problems in people's lives are of their own making and undertaking.

regardless, i know who i am, and why i am where i'm at. the rest of you parasites are just too lazy to take account of your own actions.

Re:screw it.

[cfscript]

yes, instead let's opt for the 'oh boohoo it's not my fault' ideal.

this is the last thread i'm going to bother replying to until i wake up sunday, but let me tell you, it's people like you that practically beg to not be blamed for your own sloth that are ruining the human race one by one.

even if i -am- wrong, and there is no free will by some sort of oogie-boogie god that you can't prove by any means, it doesn't matter. nobody respects a looter or a slacker except the same.

go ahead, start telling me how you have no power over your own frailty and blah blah blah, i'm still not going to respect, care or hire you.

nite,

--d.