Re: The Matrix; how to fix it?

From: Eliezer S. Yudkowsky (sentience@pobox.com)
Date: Mon Mar 27 2000 - 00:57:26 MST


Stirling Westrup wrote:
>
> Two simple solutions, either of which is sufficient:
>
> 1) Everything the 'escaped' humans know is wrong. This is either due to
> 'clues' planted by the machines, or subtle manipulation while they're in
> the matrix, or both. The upshot of it is, the humans are free because the
> machines WANT them to be. Its part of a bigger conspiracy.
>
> 2) Everything the 'escaped' humans know is logically consistant with the
> laws of physics. The human/machine battle, the duracell effect,
> everything. What they don't know is that this is only possible because
> they are STILL living in a simulation and the laws of physics were
> contrived to have this outcome.

You forgot the truly chilling one:

3) "Batteries? They use us *batteries*? That's ridiculous!"
    "Why is it ridiculous, Neo?"
    "Because it contradicts the laws of physics!"
    "Where did you learn the laws of physics, Neo?"
    "In elementary school."
    "Where did you go to elementary school, Neo?"
    "In... *oh*."

-- 
       sentience@pobox.com      Eliezer S. Yudkowsky
          http://pobox.com/~sentience/beyond.html
                 Member, Extropy Institute
           Senior Associate, Foresight Institute



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