If the universe is a simulation, I doubt that proof, or even sufficient evidence, would convince anyone involved, as we are in the simulation, in the experiment. We place our trust in the Great Architect of the Experiment, that the experiment has a defined goal that, hopefully, involves a defined benefit to ourselves. Our trust and our hope may be unfounded.
Similar to Neo, we can only be certain of the Matrix's existance if we observe it from the outside, even then, no one involved in the simulation can be convinced of the Matrix's veracity, only the possibly of the existence of the Matrix. The Matrix is similar to Plato's cave- he who has left the cave and saw the sun would be considered a madman on returning to the cave- the shadows on the cave's walls are imperfect simulations of reality. The one who returns to the cave in a vain attempt to explain the true nature of reality would be as Saint Paul wrote: “we are of all men most miserable”. What can we say? Unlike Neo who has a body outside the Matrix, if we have no physical body beyond this simulation, then we cannot leave this simulation, that is, we can never know the nature of reality. This situation is exactly the same predicament that a simulation encounters on the holodeck on the starship Enterprise- it cannot leave and explore the ship. As I wrote, this speculation on the absolute reality of the universe is not the proper domain of science.
“I'm the Doctor”, as though there is only one...the hubris of Time Lords. We sometimes forget that the word doctor simply means “teacher”, hence there are Doctors of the Roman Catholic Church. However, if medical doctors lived up to their name, there would be far fewer uninformed patients. All doctors are equal, but some are more equal than others- they don't teach. It seems that medical doctors are elevated by most people for their knowledge of medicine, and denigrated by a few, since medical doctors do not teach or inform. We conclude that the fictional Doctor Who is a true teacher, and while those who have years of advanced schooling are inexplicably entitled to the moniker of “Doctor”, we are cautious in the appellation of “Doctor”.
The anxiety of new experiences involving people, not Nature, is due entirely to the irrational universe. I, for one, will feel relief when psychology can cure, not only treat, the many people who are enticed, if only on a subconscious level, by the irrational universe, and their subsequent behavior.
Perhaps the inherent nature of the irrational universe does, in fact, affect people. After all, the universe seems governed by rational physical laws, but as the Occult teaches: rational laws tyrannize over the truth of the universe. Are the vast majority “in touch” or “in tune” with the fundamental nature of the universe, while a few are mostly unaffected? Why this phenomena would be, we can only speculate. The majority of humanity are aware of the irrational and seek the irrational to explain the irrational. [The Gentle Reader may realize this rational approach of using the irrational to explain the irrational ultimately means that word “rational” is an ambiguous word].
Our speculation would explain why people utilize various types of mysticism. These indulgences into “crazy land” cannot explain the irrational universe, but we are certain that they are not seeking explanations or answers, for they are only seeking solace, perhaps only a quantum of solace, in the guise of a mystical explanation. Since mysticism is subjective, it can give comfort only to those so inclined to find comfort in the irrational. The few, like Neo, can never be satisfied with mysticism and trite explanations that can only provide questionable premises for the existence of the universe.
Serendipity, Fate and Free Will
I have always found the idea of free will to be incomplete, at best, and repugnant, at worst. “Can people have free will?” is a different question than “Can people fully exercise their free will?”. Free will attempts to explain why there is evil, so called, in the world. This attempt is not adequate. If free will attempted to explain choice, and not the presence of evil, we may consider ourselves fortunate and we may well be on our path to a solution. It seems that given the multitude of choices, humanity has an overwhelming tendency to choose poorly. These poor choices can be observed today and are recorded in the historical record.
We suggest that in a world of only two choices-one clearly beneficial and one clearly detrimental -humanity would make the better choice. This hope for better choices is not an assurance. The world offers many course of action, most of these actions can be described as neutral in nature, that is, they are neither good nor evil. If the universe were base on the ratio of 1:2 or 1:3, instead of 1:1.618..., then the possibilities for actions and their infinite consequences may be severally limited.
Ancient banking is lending gold and later receiving an equal amount gold plus agreed upon additional ounces of gold called interest. The nobility of this profession is in direct proportion to the excitement generated by its activities. Skipping the history of the multitude of banking innovations, we arrive at Modern banking. Modern banking does not even pretend to make loans in terms of money, but makes loans by their creation of credit; credit that is similar to legal currency. So similar to legal currency, in fact, that at the moment it is allowed into circulation, it becomes indistinguishable from currency. If some people have anxiety about the activities of banks and banking, then we suggest that this feeling of uneasiness is due entirely to the fact that the practices of banking mimics the nature of the universe.
1.6180339887498948482045868343656381177203091798057628621354486227052604628189...
Due entirely to my simple mind, I have no insights into the higher mathematics that are necessary for calculating the circumference of a circle. If we are enamored with Phi, while essentially indifferent to Pi, it is only because we can calculate Phi correctly by simple use of addition of two numbers, and the subsequent division of the larger number by the smaller number.
1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233 | 1.000000000000000 2.000000000000000 1.500000000000000 1.666666666666667 1.600000000000000 1.625000000000000 1.615384615384615 1.619047619047619 1.617647058823529 1.618181818181818 1.617977528089888 1.618055555555556 |
(Beaky to his friends)