In the 1999 sci-fi film classic The Matrix, the protagonist, Neo, is shocked to see people defying the laws of physics, running through the walls and suddenly disappearing. These superhuman violations of the rules of the universe are possible because, unbeknownst to him, Neo’s consciousness is embedded in the Matrix, a simulation of virtual reality created by intelligent machines.
The action really begins when Neo is given a fateful choice: take the blue pill and return to his virtual unconscious existence, or take the red pill to know the truth about the Matrix and discover that it hides “reality.” As fanciful as it sounds, physicists can now offer us the same option, the ability to test if we live in our own virtual Matrix, studying radiation from space. And most surprising of all is that for a long time some philosophers have argued that we are probably artificial intelligences trapped in a false universe.
And who is the “creator” of this Matrix? Well this is the crux of the matter. For some experts in the field, programmers would be gods capable of changing our reality by simple caprice. But leaving aside this interesting debate, many are convinced that this theory is true, as the tycoon of technology, who has reiterated his belief that we live in a simulation. The founder of SpaceX made this surprising comment during an interview on comedian Joe Rogan’s popular podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience.”
We live in The Matrix
Elon Musk is convinced that we are all stuck in a virtual simulation Matrix style. The founder and CEO of SpaceX explained during a broad and entertaining appearance on the popular podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience” on September 7 that the universe is 13.8 billion years old, so any civilization that has emerged throughout the cosmos has had a lot of time to perfect his technological knowledge.
“If some degree of improvement is assumed, the games will be indistinguishable from reality, or civilization will end,” Musk said. “One of those two things will happen. Therefore, we are probably in a simulation, because we exist. I think that most likely it is about probabilities, there are many, many simulations. You could also call them reality, or you could call them multiverses. “
According to Musk, the “substrate” in which these simulations are run, whatever it is, is probably pretty boring, at least compared to the simulations themselves.
“Why would you do a boring simulation? You would make a simulation that is much more interesting than the base reality,“ continued the South African tycoon, citing video games and films made by humanity, which are “simulations” of the most interesting things in life.
Apart from the Matrix theme, Musk also reiterated his concern about unregulated and uncontrolled artificial intelligence; emphasized that a bright and attractive future for humanity involves exploring and establishing other worlds, both in our solar system and beyond; and discussed the traffic reduction potential of the extensive tunnel systems, which his company Boring intends to build in large cities around the world.
In addition, he mentioned that he has an idea for a supersonic electric plane that takes off and lands vertically. But he said he does not consider the development of this concept a priority at this time, given the other urgent problems that humanity needs to solve. And as anecdotal detail, Elon Musk could be seen smoking marijuana and drinking whiskey during the recording of the program. Although it can also be said that it is something strange because the co-founder of PayPal and Tesla Motors does not usually smoke marijuana (which is legal in California, where The Joe Rogan Experience is recorded) and does not enjoy it, because he ensures that it undermines his productivity.
Nothing is what it seems
This is not the first time that the multi millionaire businessman speaks so openly about the possibility that we live in The Matrix. During the Code 2016 technology conference held in California, Musk revealed that since it is possible to imagine an advanced video game created by a futuristic society that is indistinguishable from reality, it is also likely that we actually live in one of these games.
And far from being alone in this hypothesis, a large number of physicists, cosmologists and philosophers find the theory of simulation more than likely. Even the best analysts of the Bank of America Corporation affirmed in 2016 that there is a 50% probability that our world is a computer simulation and that we are all connected in a virtual reality.
According to all these arguments, if an advanced extraterrestrial civilization had the capacity to generate simulations, they could create thousands, or maybe millions or billions of “false”universes. And it would be difficult for the inhabitants of these digital realms to discover the truth, because all the evidence they could gather would probably be implanted by the creators. In fact, the idea of simulation is one of the many possible explanations for Fermi’s famous paradox, which says that if the universe is as big as it is believed, why have no extraterrestrial beings contacted us yet.
So, should we choose the red pill and know the truth, or is the reality too disturbing?
