simulation

The Idea of Real

~ MKW Publishing ~ Leave a comment

There are many representations of a simulated ‘life’ in movies and fictional ideas, or at least where that is where they used to be. It seems these days, and possibly for a while, that the idea is not contained within just the thought of a simulation, it has instead escaped and created its own. People now talk about (or at least online they do), about how real life has become a simulated version of what it once was, as discussed in Virtually Real Life. But this article is more a second instalment to Sim City, where I briefly mention some of the films listed here as a point of reference, but shall do so again with a bit more of why they are important for their representation of the idea.

The Matrix – the quintessential go to now when discussing that simulation, and in fact, people now use that word instead, talking about how we are all ‘stuck in The Matrix’. Programs exiled (prison), replicating of their own accord (breeding) – all bound within a simulated reality (society). I can see why it gets likened to it. Did it get its idea from society, or did society get its ideas from there?

The Island – Clones for spare body parts, developed and ‘born’ straight into adulthood and kept in a simulated reality with holograms and lies. A conditioned and monitored existence, farming them for their ultimate purpose as replacement parts. Just a side-step over to what we have now, and getting closer all the time, as discussed in such articles as Perhaps and Med Bed or Death Pod.

Free Guy – programs that ‘evolve’ and create life, also in a simulated reality. Set in a game, like Ready Player One but that was about people on the outside saving that outside, while on the inside. Hackers being in a similar vein although earlier, but thwarting real life villains and plans, by just playing on the computer. I think War Games might be the ultimate one there though, inadvertently causing a disaster instead of discovering it. And I guess an upgrade on Lawnmower Man, although that was a human who ended up integrated and became part of it, so maybe not.

Dark City – simulated reality, memories swapped like a ‘reincarnation’ process, but the city and all its inhabitants and their experiences based on those memories, so that there is something tangible about them. But they are jumbled and distorted, with no-one really knowing who they are, where they are or where they are from, and just getting on with that as if it has always been so. It’s a strange film, and quite disturbing really.

And I always then start thinking of the Orphan trains, mentioned in A Train of Thought – where I wonder about it being a collective start or a cover story. Is it possible that, too, is a false reality that started the simulation? We were given a collective story about a flood, next time a ‘black plague’, the next batch were told of a war, a natural disaster, a godly smiting, a virus, and so on. Where each time memories resurface or a knowing comes back, it’s time to shake it up again, to cause confusion and mayhem like in So Simple, to stop people having time to think, to settle or to look beyond what has been laid out in front of you. And maybe there isn’t anything else to know, and we are just where we are through good old fashioned fate and fortune, we shall see…

(c) MKW Publishing

Sim City

~ MKW Publishing ~ 3 Comments

There is a growing consensus that the simulation hypothesis may not be as far-fetched as once some may have thought. The way being paved for this through various films and ideas and as we gather more information about the apparent world around us and the construct upon which we base our ‘reality’. So, in my usual way, I shall use a list of films to illustrate how reality can and is determined by what’s around you. And by changing or simulating a different environment, can thereby change your reality and perceptions towards it.

The Matrix – so far this film is kind of heralded as the top spot for simulation theory played out in visual terms. It’s easy to understand, requires very little thought and appears to cover all bases. It’s too slick but a good starting point to get familiar with the idea.

Dark City – for me this film covers all bases and is neatly complex, it’s got psychological, physical, mental, metaphysical aspects and more.

Logans Run – This is a strange film, and has all sorts of overtones and undertones. But their reality is dictated and controlled and is no longer questioned.

Ready player one – an entertaining and fun look at the idea of a metaverse where it caters to your every want. Unless your want is to be able to fit in to normal life. It’s about finding out who you are by thinking you need to be someone else. Done in the classic Spielberg 80’s style, which I can’t fault.

Free guy – a recent film and goes even further into the computer programs running in the simulation touched upon in matrix. The replication of agent Smith, the fear of deletion by others. But this takes it further and goes with AI becoming sentient. An awareness of the system and programming develops leading to an evolution of thought. It’s a fun film though too and I recommend it. Easy viewing with lots of thinking material.

The Truman Show – a simulation of reality to convince one person it is. Meant to be portrayed as a reality TV show, but it’s a pretend sheltered fabricated existence. Until the party subject to the manipulation and lies snaps and realises all is not what it seems.

Star Trek – Next Generation – Many episodes involving the holodeck and varying degrees of simulated reality, but episode 138 of the series is very interesting.

Updated: realised I forgot two that should be in this list. Tron and lawnmower man. Both of those where people become part of the program.

Also, popular now as well as ‘reality tv’ are games simulating things. The Sims being aptly named and encourages people to build their ideal setting and characters. Tying into the metaverse possibly as an end game, who knows.

So, where does the simulation end and reality begin? Or once you believe the simulation is real, does that make it real? Are they just perceptions or absolutes? That will remain to be seen.

(c) K Wicks