I know most of you have seen the Matrix and are not unfamiliar with the idea that we are just figments of someone else's imagination, or possibly their computer circuitry.
An interesting article in Wired about Second Life pointed out that this is rapidly becoming reality: http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/m...15-08/ff_sheep
The sophistication of these worlds seems to increase exponentially, so now it's obvious it's only a matter of time until virtually every human experience can be simulated by a computer chip. (Where can I get one of those Sex Balls they have in Second Life?)
See also this article in NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/14/sc...pagewanted=all
OK, I know it's too early in the morning to think about such things, until you've had your 4th or 5th cup of coffee. And it has nothing to do with woodworking. But it's a really crazy idea that could be TRUE. Not that we could prove it or even be aware of it. We would think that we are touching real oak and maple and padauk, when really we are just sensing variations on the master code for that wood as programmed by the prime designer. We have a modicum of "free will" as programmed, but we generally follow the path laid out by the designer. Our lives will last as long as we are of interest to the designer(s), then *zip*.
Pretty freaky, huh?
An interesting article in Wired about Second Life pointed out that this is rapidly becoming reality: http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/m...15-08/ff_sheep
The sophistication of these worlds seems to increase exponentially, so now it's obvious it's only a matter of time until virtually every human experience can be simulated by a computer chip. (Where can I get one of those Sex Balls they have in Second Life?)
See also this article in NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/14/sc...pagewanted=all
OK, I know it's too early in the morning to think about such things, until you've had your 4th or 5th cup of coffee. And it has nothing to do with woodworking. But it's a really crazy idea that could be TRUE. Not that we could prove it or even be aware of it. We would think that we are touching real oak and maple and padauk, when really we are just sensing variations on the master code for that wood as programmed by the prime designer. We have a modicum of "free will" as programmed, but we generally follow the path laid out by the designer. Our lives will last as long as we are of interest to the designer(s), then *zip*.
Pretty freaky, huh?
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