The Vulnerability of Senses
In the world we live in, or think we live in, we are guided by our sensation. Our entire perception of the world is based off only five senses—sight, audition, olfaction, gustation, and sensation—from which we have constructed ourselves to behave a certain way.
Psychology has proved again and again that our behavior is affected by the surrounding environment; classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and reinforcement learning are such examples. We have learned to behave in certain ways because of what we are exposed to. Sensation is the interface between us and the world.
Our entire life feels so real, yet we scarcely dare to question our own sensation. Sure, we have science, which we use to understand the world, but it explains so little, and what's more, it's is centered around our own perception. We understand so little about it, or even about ourselves, yet we confide greatly in this understanding based on senses themselves.
This leads to an important issue. As science and technology progress, the capability of simulations of reality (such as VR) will advance as well, and it may be tough to convince people to remain in the real world. For example, if a new video game comes out that exactly mimics reality, except it offers everything people would ever want. This matter has societal and even economic implications that could be game changing, as detailed by various fiction authors. Civilizations like those in The Giver or Brave New World may finally be possible, and we as humans should consider our own fate, as the power of simulation starts to take a larger hold on an increasing number of lives.
Finally, I want to pose a question: is our life a simulation? Although this is cliche, it is nonetheless a possibility that is fascinating to consider. However, I want to admit how dumb it would be to actually consider this prospect. There is no compelling evidence to suggest that we are in a simulation. In addition, even if we were, why does it matter? All I have been exposed to my entire life relates to , and the uncorroborated possibility of my life being a simulation is not enough to convince me to alter my life's goals, or any of the goals or decisions of any of your lives.
Further Reading:
Psychology has proved again and again that our behavior is affected by the surrounding environment; classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and reinforcement learning are such examples. We have learned to behave in certain ways because of what we are exposed to. Sensation is the interface between us and the world.
Our entire life feels so real, yet we scarcely dare to question our own sensation. Sure, we have science, which we use to understand the world, but it explains so little, and what's more, it's is centered around our own perception. We understand so little about it, or even about ourselves, yet we confide greatly in this understanding based on senses themselves.
This leads to an important issue. As science and technology progress, the capability of simulations of reality (such as VR) will advance as well, and it may be tough to convince people to remain in the real world. For example, if a new video game comes out that exactly mimics reality, except it offers everything people would ever want. This matter has societal and even economic implications that could be game changing, as detailed by various fiction authors. Civilizations like those in The Giver or Brave New World may finally be possible, and we as humans should consider our own fate, as the power of simulation starts to take a larger hold on an increasing number of lives.
Finally, I want to pose a question: is our life a simulation? Although this is cliche, it is nonetheless a possibility that is fascinating to consider. However, I want to admit how dumb it would be to actually consider this prospect. There is no compelling evidence to suggest that we are in a simulation. In addition, even if we were, why does it matter? All I have been exposed to my entire life relates to , and the uncorroborated possibility of my life being a simulation is not enough to convince me to alter my life's goals, or any of the goals or decisions of any of your lives.
Further Reading:
- https://www.rdmag.com/article/2017/08/advancements-virtual-reality-device-development
- The Matrix
- Brave New World
- The Giver
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