Wow, here is a blow to the whole God theory. It also supports my "god is the Antichrist" theory. Thoughts?

Question

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/14/science/14tier.html?ex=1344744000&en=22efff4469281187&ei=5124&partner=digg&exprod=digg

Answer 1

Let's just hope that computer is not running Windows, for we're sure going to crash...

Answer 2

This was in interesting article, but far from convincing. For one thing, bias is smeared liberally throughout. If it were an Op-ed piece, fine, but it's in the Science Findings section of the NYTimes. What?! Phrases like, "My gut feeling is that the odds are better than 20 percent", and, "The math and the logic are inexorable" betray the author's position.

The assumption that you must make for this simulation to be a "mathematical certainty" is "lots of simulations are being run". This assumption requires that some civilization successfully develops artificial intelligence which, given our AI research, is anything but certain. If (and that's a big if) that happens, still many other conditions must be met.

These are just my opinions, and they don't necessarily rule out this hypothesis. In the same way, there is no way to disprove the existence of any other metaphysical theory of the universe, such as 'the bible is the word of God'. This theory is just an updated version of the one that says our universe is just an atom in a giant's fingernail, and it's no closer to the truth. So far as I can tell, it's based on zero evidence, and explains nothing about what we do and don't understand about science.

Lastly, you might consider renaming your theory. Calling something the Antichrist implies that you adhere to a generally Christian-like belief system, with a separate entity you would call God and another you would call Christ. Equating two supposedly separate beings just confuses your point which, I assume, is that whatever created this universe is the embodiment of pure evil.

Regards

Answer 3

So, you seriously believe that it's probably that we're in a computer simulation? I really don't mean to be rude, but that's completely ridiculous. I don't care if the NY Times published an article about it. Someone's watched The Matrix way too many times.

You are a product of you're environment. A mathematician sees the world through a lens of math and may even assume that the complexities of romance and human psychology can be boiled down to a few formulas. Hugh Heffner sees the world through a lens of sex and probably thinks our sexuality is the driving force that makes the world turn and the earth revolve around the sun. People from a given culture see the world through the lens of their own culture, and this explains why various nations (Romans, Greeks, Chinese, Americans, etc.) have considered all outsiders to be barbarians.

These crackpot Matrix philosophers sit in front of a computer screen, and you try to reforge the world into the image of the technology that sits in front of you. It's ludicrous.

God is not like a programmer or in any way comparable to some guy playing The Sims. He is different, completely and wholly different from us. The Bible throws at us numerous analogies and symbols--father, master, shepherd, sheep, husband, judge--because his nature is manifold. Those symbols are merely clues to give us a rough, superficial understand of his true nature. He completely transcends us in every way basically that we can be transcended. We are foolish to simplify not only God but the universe and all their complexities into a programmer and his computer simulation!

It's going to take more than that to rock the "God theory."

Answer 4

Only one thing wrong with it:

"It’s unsettling to think of the world being run by a futuristic computer geek..."

According to Ronald Mallet, highly likely the first man, an astro-physicist, to create the World's First Time Machine, we can only go as far back into the past as when the machine was first turned on.

Meaning, there is no futuristic thing (to any great degree) happening to us right now (i.e., a computer geek from the future). Unless, of course, the geek belongs to a greatly evolved species outside our planet who created a Time Machine already.

Answer 5

Yes, I have always accepted this 'matrix like reality' as a possibility, and It is one of the main reasons disproving evolution doesn't prove god.

And if someone says that thing or guy running this theorized program IS god, that person needs to realize they are suggesting godhood is relative. In other words, they are saying I am god in respects to the characters in my video game.

Answerer below me:

The theory is not suggesting a guy from the future is running the machine it is suggesting a 'thing' not neccessarily human is running it from an alternate reality.

Answer 6

Interesting.

Answer 7

It would seem to me that only a total fool would believe what was written there! The Lord Himself has declared that man is without excuse as the very creation testifies of His existence. We are told in the Bible that many would come and deceive people with false prophesy. We are also told to study the Word of God so that when this sort of thing is presented we can know for sure that it is not from the Lord. The Bible states that all men are accountable to the Lord and that there is no escaping the judgement that is to come.

Answer 8

Interesting concept.....sure would suck if we are the real Sim City.

Answer 9

I actually have thought this before. It would support the aliens theory as well as God as well as the matrix. All I can say is this, IF this is true, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me win the lottery, have 20 kids and build a HUGE house in the middle of no where so I can hide from my family!

In truth, I like the sims.

Answer 10

Well ... it's an amusing idea but just speculation at this point.