Are We In A Simulation? Crazy question right?! This was a topic mentioned in one of my first classes of the semester. It was about Nick Bostrom’s simulation argument which argues that we are waaaayyyy more likely to be living in a simulation (like the computer games Sims) than not living in a simulation. Think Matrix meets ChatGPT. So I would definitely say, the year has started with a rabbit hole of a bang. 😅
I also learned the word philosophy is derived from the latin terms philein & Sophia meaning basically, “lover of wisdom”. A philosopher is someone who gets others to think critically about the obvious. If ya know me, ya know meeeeeee and this major makes the most sense.
I am enjoying all of my classes (theater, intro to philosophy, critical thinking, finite mathematics and history), but philosophy & critical thinking are by far my most favorite (obviously cuz that’s what I signed up to focus on right?). After every class I have so much to share. My problem is, once I tell my husband and a friend and a kid and a sibling, i’m pretty much feeling like, that’s enough. SOOO, I am going to try my best to make videos to share my thoughts. To be frank, I have learned so much in the last two days that I lost excitement about sharing all that I learned last week. Which tells me I must share it asap or I won’t care anymore. Which tells me I must vlog or blog daily to get it out at all, even if I draft it to post later.
I decided to go on campus instead of online for two reasons; 1: I’ve gotten a dozen certificates online and i’ve worked from home since covid (kid of over being in the house 24/7) and 2: South Alabama has an awesome campus that’s so big it takes me at least 10-15 minutes to walk between classes. So each day I attend I get a workout both mentally and physically which feels like a winning frekkkn day to me! The rec center is huge and has yoga and pilates classes PLUS good food choices, and I also get to network with other students.
Now back to the topic; The thought of life itself being part of a simulation is bananas. BUT what came to mind immediately was the fact that each student present set a goal mentally then physically put forth effort to pursue an academic goal that placed each of us in the same room, at the same time. As a mother, wife, business owner, I understand how vaguely different each of our realities are outside of the classroom, yet we meet here at the same time, on the same days of each week. It definitely gets deeper than that *see actual YouTube videos from Nick Bostrom for a push; but also take a second to think of your current reality and how you got there.
Wether you are scrolling while chillin in bed or at your desk, you took conscious steps to get there. Everyone we have a relationship with and passerby’s are all part of the simulation. Wild to imagine huh? Anywho, I am going to share some thoughts on Socrates in my next post. It will probably be easier to get the point across by video so fingers crossed I have the enthusiasm for it by my lunch break tomorrow. Until then, let’s think about what actions we have taken (or not taken) to be living in our current reality (or simulation). What thoughts can we make and actions can we take to add or subtract from the simulation? 🧐😊