Re:We are living in someone else's computer simulation
by euccastro on Wednesday August 15, 2007 @07:55AM
(#42618)
In that case you can't run the simulation until the sun goes red dwarf, unless you are ready to extend physical human life that far.
It would be easier, as the article suggests, to just stimulate the spots in the brain responsible for pleasure. If the point is artificial happiness, why all this simulation stuff at all?
Re:We are living in someone else's computer simulation
by portLAN on Wednesday August 15, 2007 @01:56PM
(#42728)
I wouldn't be surprised if we could do it in 40 years.
If you only want to stimulate pleasure centers, no need for expensive equipment -- just use poppies. If addiction is a problem, then presumably there is more to life and hence a reason to simulate after all.
Cf. The Matrix. Except with enough processing power, instead of sharing a simulation, you have it all to yourself -- so you can always be the #1 Most Important Person in the world, if you wish. Everything will work out the way you want it to, whatever your particular ethos; you'll set things to rights. AIs will be programmed to seem like fully convincing humans, but secretly they'll be on virtual happy pills so they'll never suffer.