Are we in a computer simulation?

[Splat]

I think we are in a simulation. I think some-one did plan this game/life out. I think countries were given personalities and a lot of work went into creating it all.  I think we are here to learn, create, love, even learn from suffering. When we die we go back to heaven which is where we came from.  I don't understand it all, but I wish the programmers could upgrade it a bit - I'd like to be a Paladin. Until then - I'll have to go play WoW. 

[Manc Man]

Since, statistically, we are far more likely to be a simulation than "reality" that question is fairly dull.

What may be interesting is the question as to whether, given this is a simulation, the game player or programmer could legitimately be considered a, or even The, God.

And if this person is to be considered a "God" does the fact that he/she really exists offer the ultimate validation to organized religion, or does the fact that he (or she) is a probably a pimple cheeked geek of a key board jockey highlight the absurdity and futility of any organized worship?

[Splat]

Since, statistically, we are far more likely to be a simulation than "reality" that question is fairly dull.

Actually a more interesting question is how do you win the game? Don't want to be a loser...

[Old Mike]

If we are in a simulation, then the being who created it could be considered a god. Only if He created the "real" universe which contains the computer running the simulation is He God.

[Wicket]

Someone has written a paper on this ( I think I might have quoted from it originally) that gives the probability of us being in a 'simulation' as around 20% only.

Agree with Old Mike on the God question. Maybe 'God' is interested to see what happens & how we react when we find out we are in fact Sims?

Some say that as there is so much war and evil etc in the world this could be because we are in a fact in a simulation. I would argue that you'd make things far, far more dramatic in this respect if we were.

Is it possible that other as yet undiscovered dimensions are in fact other simulations? Someone said that the force of gravity should be far stronger than it is ( given as evidence for other dimensions) but this could also be a 'glitch'.

Do our dreams ever offer us a glimpse of the 'real' universe or of other dimensions? In other dimensions/sims do people voluntarily end their lives when they become old and death doesn't exist in the same way? Are there lots of variations on a theme running simultaneously to find the 'perfect' formula for a universe? Could our dreams influence what happens to other people in other simulations?

Taking it further are we all 'dead' and heaven or hell is our reward or punishment in this particular simulation?

Perhaps in order to win the game in our world (assuming it is a simulation) you need to have carefully considered the 'rules' (bilble or other religious text or similar) that are out there and tried to live a good life & have to give good account on 'death'. From my experience the 'good' do tend to die younger than the rest of us maybe they earn a place in a fantastic sim that follows this one?

Someone else has pointed out that it might be about how interesting a life you need, the dull need not apply for the sim that comes next etc. That's an interesting question though, what are the rules of the game?

[jonas]

If we are in a game of life then that must make Singapore the boring tutorial mission at the beginning where you learn all the basic rules before venturing out at level 20 to all the more interesting areas.

All programmers (most of whom are men harbour a secret desire to recreate the world in their own image. It's interesting that God is a He yes?

One thing is for sure, if life is a game thre should be a lot more crates and barrels on the streets and alot more teleportation bugs.

[Splat]

If we are in a game of life then that must make Singapore the boring tutorial mission at the beginning where you learn all the basic rules before venturing out at level 20 to all the more interesting areas

lawl, actually Singapore isn't a zone - its a city, full of banks, Auction houses and lvl 1 blood elf bank alts. If you die in Singapore - you run back from Malaysia....