Are We Living In A Box?

Discussion in 'Science and Technology' started by The Boy Who Cried Worf, Dec 15, 2012.

  1. The Boy Who Cried Worf

    The Boy Who Cried Worf Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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  2. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    [yt]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0sq8VDXlWQk[/yt]
     
  3. PurpleBuddha

    PurpleBuddha Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Maybe a box within a box.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. The Castellan

    The Castellan Commodore Commodore

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    Thinking in a box, yes.
     
  5. Silvercrest

    Silvercrest Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Computer, end program.


    COMPUTER, END PROGRAM!!!


    COMPUTER, END @#$% PROGRAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



    Dang.
     
  6. StarMan

    StarMan Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Maybe December 21st, 2012 is the scheduled defrag of The Universe. Long overdue, IMO.
     
  7. Crazy Eddie

    Crazy Eddie Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Whichever pill allows me to pretend I am not a homeless person living in a box.

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    In all seriousness, this is easily the most frivolous scientific study I have ever heard of and I can only hope that the scientists involved haven't managed to con anyone into giving them real money for it.
     
  8. Gov Kodos

    Gov Kodos Admiral Admiral

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  9. scotpens

    scotpens Professional Geek Premium Member

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  10. Lonemagpie

    Lonemagpie Writer Admiral

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    Gimme the god mode cheat code, that's all I'd want... Maybe noclip as well... Definitely level skip/select
     
  11. lurok

    lurok Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    There is no box. Only then will we realize the truth.
     
  12. Robert Maxwell

    Robert Maxwell memelord Premium Member

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    It ultimately doesn't matter whether we are living in what could be described as a "simulation" or not. Whatever our universe "really" is at the core, what we do know is that its physical rules have been constant since shortly after the Big Bang, and it's been around long enough that I don't think we have to worry about anyone "shutting it off" anytime soon.

    This makes it a fundamentally irrelevant question. Whether our universe is "real" or just a very, very well-done simulation, it's a difference that makes no difference.
     
  13. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    "Nothing unreal exists." - T'plana'hath, matron of Vulcan philosophy :vulcan:
     
  14. Zulu Romeo

    Zulu Romeo World Famous Starship Captain Admiral

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    That was Kiri-Kin-Tha's first law of metaphysics! You're getting your Vulcan philosophers mixed up.
     
  15. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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  16. JarodRussell

    JarodRussell Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Again the assumption that our universe isn't the end, and there needs to be something that's wrapped around it. And what's wrapped around that?

    This always puzzles me.

    And besides that, shouldn't it be impossible for a simulation (a program) to prove that it is a program? Halting problem anyone?
     
  17. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Bacon
     
  18. JarodRussell

    JarodRussell Vice Admiral Admiral

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    And around that? Even more bacon? Or cheese?
     
  19. Robert Maxwell

    Robert Maxwell memelord Premium Member

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    This question was answered a long time ago.

    It's turtles, turtles, turtles, all the way down.
     
  20. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Turtles wrapped in bacon? That'd be a bit awkward.