A conversation on TED.com: A disturbing thought...

Hungry Hippo
Auckland
New Zealand

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A disturbing thought...

Apart from the unknown origins of consciousness, consider that with modern computing, us as species could create/replicate an enclosed universe of any size, (e.g cricketball), by creating a singularity/low-entropy beginning, providing some parameters (just like the numbers the speaker is referring to) and from this produce a highly-complex system (similar to our universe).

Any intelligent life that eventuated within the system wouldn't be aware of any space outside their system (just as we aren't),

Could we all be rats in another species lab experiment?

Related Talks:

Brian Greene on string theory

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Helen Hupe 20+
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May 20 2011: @Nick.............Thanks
anthony bruni 30+
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May 20 2011: So then that begs the question do we live in a open source universe prone to a bit of randomness, or are we living in a closed system that would be a bit more orderly.
Barry Li
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May 20 2011: We could all be a simulation after all. Computing power double every 18 months. Sooner or later a computer simulation will be so "real" that we can't tell the difference between reality and a simulation.
Tim Colgan 50+
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May 19 2011: And why is that thought disturbing?
- Ken brown 10+
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  May 19 2011: This is not a new enlightening idea and you're right in what way is this disturbing?but why is the basic components of creating a universe always start with a singularity?that a theoretical experimental universe can only come into existence through a bang when no one anywhere at any given time has ever run an experiment on our own universe.
  
  Cool link meher,Excellente!
Aleksandar Aleksandrov
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May 19 2011: I am glad I wasn't the only one who thought of this being possible.
I recommend you watch http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0139809/ 13 floor, and dark city.
Nicholas Lukowiak 30+
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May 19 2011: Yes, in a few of the debates I argued involving God ideas, I usually propose alien-gods. By this I mean aliens that are god-like, and perhaps they started life to do studies on the human race!

Just as likely as a God creator.
- Helen Hupe 20+
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  May 19 2011: Hi Nick............Could you please expand on whar an alien who is god-like is like. Does He/she have attributes ?
  - Nicholas Lukowiak 30+
    
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    May 19 2011: Ha, well one type of god-like existence I would imagine it to be like DC comics interpretation of multi-verses. In DC Gods are stationed in different sections of the universe to just watch and not to interact. They watch to learn, understand, and to make sure other Gods do not interfere with life; it is funny because in the comics a God gave man fire to start the series of evolution in tools.
    
    Perhaps though the alien-god is just a ball of energy with a consciousness that is just trying to gain infinite knowledge. To do so you would have to understand everything in relation to everything else. Like metaphysics but involving the entire universe. Perhaps we are its experiment that became really really interesting to observe.
    
    Perhaps the aliens are just humanoids and do not understand life completely and use earth as a grounds for experimentation. South Park episode "Canceled" is like this idea.
    
    Indeed it is also likely aliens came down and taught humans advanced educations to help us out, I see this in the archeology findings of today. More and more evidence leading to alien intervention.
    
    All I know from considering alien-gods is that we are definitely not alone. However the question to continue asking is to what extent?
    
    Lastly, if I had abilities that could make or destroy life on massive scales I would like to see if there are patterns involving life in how they develop intelligence. Would they all make religions? Would they all have militarism? Would they all have governments? How would would it take for said advancement to take place? Etc. Just comparing life on a universal scale would be the ultimate understanding of conscious life.
Meher Like Spring Rabbit 10+
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May 19 2011: http://www.radiolab.org/blogs/radiolab-blog/2009/mar/25/diy-universe/

Above is a link to a show called RadioLab, they have an amazingly unique style of story telling that combines musical composition, scientific inquiry, and journalistic reporting. this short episode is called DIY Universe, If you haven't listened to it yet I highly recommend it as it pertains to this topic.
- lynn eschbach 30+
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  May 19 2011: Added the site to my favorites. Thanks.
  - Meher Like Spring Rabbit 10+
    
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    May 19 2011: Radiolab and TED are my too favorite things about the internet. I recommend the hour long episode called "Cities" and the one called "animal minds" for starters. But really, one should go back to the beginning of the show and listen to all of them as they often build new episodes on previous ones so you may miss out on some inside info if you skip around.
- Helen Hupe 20+
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  May 19 2011: Meher..............Added this to my favorites too..................Thanks
  - Meher Like Spring Rabbit 10+
    
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    May 19 2011: just glad to be spreading the good word ; ) xaxaxaxa