Are we living in the matrix?
Philosopher Nick Bostrom thinks that we are... or at least that there is the possiblity that our lives are merely computer simulations of reality. His full research paper is located at www.simulation-argument.com/1
His discussion is based on the theory that if we will someday be capable of simulating consciousness with computers, then it is highly likely that it has already been done. His advice to those who might be concerned about this prospect is to relax and keep living life the way you have been.
In other simulation news, computer games like 'Sim City' are helping cities around the world plan for the future. By allowing citizens of the city to play with the allocation of city resources in a game like situation, the program QUEST allows people to learn more about the complexity of managing a large population while taking issues like the environment, transportation, and energy use into account. People are able to see how compromises in policy and the way people live their lives must be made in order for the city to thrive in the long term. The simulations also allow city leaders to collect data on what works best and worst for the city that can aid their policy decisions for the future of the city. These simulations are still in their youth, and have many unique limitiations that must be addressed for each community that utilizes them. However, the potential is there for QUEST to succeed as both a tool for teaching the public about community planning and living, and for the policy makers to determine how planning might best proceed while taking their populus into consideration. For more information on this topic, please read the story in the July 27 issue of New Scientist by James Hrynyshyn.
current science news posted by Kirsten at 7/31/2002 06:53:00 PM
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