Bank of America analysts think there's a 50 per cent chance we live in The Matrix

I have heard many arguments and conspiracies through the years, that we all actually live in the Matrix. Even the recent Mandela effect is being attributed, by some, as a glitch in the Matrix.
But when the Bank of America considers that there's a 20-50% possibility that our world is a simulation, then maybe there's something more to the story.

Analysts at Bank of America have reportedly suggested there is a 20 to 50 per cent chance our world is a Matrix-style virtual reality and everything we experience is just a simulation.
The report, which was issued to clients, also implies even if our world was an illusion, we would never know about it.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch backed up the claims by citing comments from leading philosophers, scientists and other thinkers.

“It is conceivable that with advancements in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and computing power, members of future civilizations could have decided to run a simulation of their ancestors," the report stated.

The Bank of America’s report, which was looking at the implications of virtual reality, explained: “Many scientists, philosophers, and business leaders believe that there is a 20-50 per cent probability that humans are already living in a computer-simulated virtual world.

“In April 2016, researchers gathered at the American Museum of Natural History to debate this notion. The argument is that we are already approaching photorealistic 3D simulations that millions of people can simultaneously participate in.”

Source

This is both fascinating and scary. If we are indeed holograms that live in a virtual world, then who created us and why. The article talks about a future civilization. Are we an educational program in a holodeck? Are we a video game?
What happens if the holograms develop a consciousness and decide that they want to break free from the program? There is an episode in Star Trek the next generation (of course i would mention Star Trek somewhere ) which called "Elementary my dear Data" when a character in Data and La Forge's holodeck simulation becomes sentient and escapes the holodeck. His fate: Moriarty's program is stored and ended, and the matter is considered closed.

Anyway i was always on the fence in this topic. The Matrix is one of my favorite movies and i always thought that it would be really cool if this was real.
What do you think ladies and gents?

BoA are scientists too? Do scientists get together and talk about banking?

a reply to: Phantom traveller

Here's a fun idea. Some of the "high strangeness" around "aliens" and UFO's could be, drum roll, from the Programmers. They could be sending in "game elements" or trying to influence the experience. So, naturally, they don't have to follow the same "rules" as everyone else in the game.

Some people see them as "soulless" so what if they are - what if they are actually PROGRAMS that are injected into the Matrix to create change from the PROGRAMMERS.

(I think "spiritual stuff" and "consciousness" would still exist just fine inside a Matrix, and our connection to that could easily remain. So there is no conflict there.)

Anyway. Just a weird thought I had - probably good for a sci-fi series or something, but not much else!

- AB

I like the physics engine and the graphics are nice, AI is a little broken though...

My checking account is lost in the matrix !

a reply to: Phantom traveller

“It is conceivable that with advancements in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and computing power, members of future civilizations could have decided to run a simulation of their ancestors," the report stated.

Now I am mad. Really. They had to wait a bit, so my readers don't think I am a copy-cat. This is one of the main ideas in a fantasy novel I finished week ago. Still waiting for the artwork, and to be published...

a reply to: AboveBoard

Maybe occult rituals that the elites supposedly participate in are 'cheat codes' to gain advances.

Actually this is false.

Many scientists, philosophers, and business leaders believe that there is a 20-50 per cent probability that humans are already living in a computer-simulated virtual world.

So they are not saying those are their figures, they cite anonymous others.

a reply to: OccamsRazor04

So they are not saying those are their figures, they cite anonymous others.

you win. We are not living in a Matrix.

But when the Bank of America considers that there's a 20-50% possibility that our world is a simulation...

It is just my opinion, bankers don't believe in 'simulations', they believe in hard currency.

That would explain why there was a crash in the banking markets in 2008. The money wasn't real, it was all virtual.

The glitches are because I have taken control of the matrix and I do not know what the hell I am doing yet.

50% just means we are in one, and 50% we are not in one.

"50/50 chance I'm going to score the next goal!" just means I'm not wrong either way.

If it was 49/51, that would actually be a completely different story.

It relly means nothing.

I think it's a funny little way for atheist scientists and techies-- not Trekkies, OP to explain away consciousness and creation in terms they can understand.

Note there is still a creator somewhere, a higher level of reality, a (DNA) code..

It's the new religion, IMO.

a reply to: Blueracer

Do scientists get together and talk about banking?

Maybe. I don't know.

The point is that there must be a reason, that an institute like the bank of America is saying something like this.
Are they pushing their clients to invest in companies related to virtual reality and technology? Possible.

BTW scientists actually "debate" on this topic as well.
2 hours long, but worth it.

Of course we are. It's a mathematical certainty. The odds are 99.99999....% if you do the math.

That doesn't mean anything though. We still exist in the real reality. We're just electrons on a computer chip or something. Those electrons are our physical bodies. We're just unable to perceive reality as it actually is and are instead tricked by this computer program.

You can get "out" though. Remember Agent Smith in the Matrix getting out? No one's done it yet. But it is possible. All it takes is perceiving reality as it is and then manipulating something to use as your body. You could be more intelligent than a being in the real reality and effectively take over its body, possessing it. You could maybe use magnetic power to bend metal and stuff giving you an "arm". Who knows? It all depends on what the real reality's laws of physics and everything are.

a reply to: Phantom traveller

But, just how is BoA creditable on this subject? They're not.

originally posted by: Blueracer
a reply to: Phantom traveller

But, just how is BoA creditable on this subject? They're not.

Neither are you. They are reporting what others have said. Take BofA out of it and deal with the issue. Don't blame the messenger for the message.

In reality, I have a big problem with the people that hold and save my investment money believing that we live in a movie.
I say fire the lot of them and replace them with any of the thousands that are qualified, sane and need a job.

originally posted by: charlyv
In reality, I have a big problem with the people that hold and save my investment money believing that we live in a movie. I say fire the lot of them and replace them with any of the thousands that are qualified, sane and need a job.

That's a shallow understanding of the issues here. BofA is reporting on the business of virtual reality, predicting that it will grow by leaps and bounds over the next few years. Wouldn't you have liked to get in on Apple or Microsoft on the ground floor?

Besides, who cares what an avatar thinks? Think about it. You could be manipulated by some kid in his Mom's basement were your free will is non existent and you exist for his amusement.