My career has been a privilege to be around some very deep thinkers at universities like NIT and Stanford and National Labs like Los Alamos (LANL). Exploring nanotechnology while in Silicon Valley in the late 80s categorized me as a Looney Tune, but all of the patents in magnetic and optical data storage converted my persona to be a futurist with lunatic tendencies. There are some amazing thinkers and some that are considered to be Loony Tune’s like me, running around the world promoting the simulation theory. I now fancy myself somewhere in between.
I have written about a conspiracy movement that believes we live in a simulation. As a member of The World Future Society, I remember Alvin Tofler and others looking for proof of the phenomenal idea that the “creators” are programming a life simulation that we are all a part of. The first step in promoting the theory is to try to communicate with the” Creators.” The movie series The Matrix was fundamentally about how to break out of the Simulation.
The Simulation seems to have taken a strange turn recently, and its potential as a truism is becoming more of a reality than fiction. It is not quite at the status of the UFO theorists, but it is working its way to the top of the list. In tech, we called it “The Thousandth Monkey.”
What is triggering this new interest in an old subject is the dramatic “wild card” shift we see worldwide that seems to be driven by US politics, but it is more insidious. One theorist thinks it is the final straw in the simulation, where the political system is revamped into something more of a digital democracy than a representative one. Hmm, I wonder if Seth McFarlane has some insider information in his TV Series, “The Orville.” The episode “Majority Rule” is a bit scary. I am trying to be an observer and not an influencer, but quantum physics superposition theory states that observing some action influences the outcome of that action. Spoiler alert: It gets weirder from here on.
I gave a speech about living in a simulation where the opening joke was that my proof of the belief we are living in a simulation was the fact that Donald Trump and Kanye West are asshole buddies. That seems even more true now with Elon Musk and the Tech Bros aligning with the second-term president. There is no fake news, it is all fake wrote one PhD scientist friend. Whether Elon is the new savior or the next scapegoat-in-waiting is really moot when the hypothesis is that we are getting too close to breaking the Simulation, and the creators are putting up a diversion led by the unwashed masses.
Having some fun with this, I have a loose acquaintance with George RR Martin and received a note about his new physics paper. True! Way out George.
George R.R. Martin, best known for his *A Song of Ice and Fire* novels, has co-authored a peer-reviewed physics paper titled “Ergodic Lagrangian Dynamics in a Superhero Universe “ with physicist Ian Tregillis, a physicist fellow at Los Alamos National Labs in New Mexico. Published in the *American Journal of Physics*, the paper applies classical mechanics to model the fictional Wild Card virus from Martin’s collaborative *Wild Cards* anthology series, which mutates human DNA to create superpowered “Aces” (1%) or grotesquely mutated “Jokers” (9%), while killing 90% of those infected.
Key Findings of the Paper
The researchers developed a Lagrangian dynamics model to describe the virus’s statistical distribution of outcomes. This framework treats each infected individual’s fate as a time-evolving “state vector” that stabilizes when their “card turns,” locking in their final outcome (Ace, Joker, or death). The model accounts for:
– Time-averaged statistical distributions (90:9:1 rule)
– Crypto-carriers (asymptomatic or latent mutations)
– Ergodic principles, linking individual trajectories to population-wide outcomes
The work demonstrates how fictional scenarios can illustrate complex physics concepts, such as dynamical systems and probabilistic outcomes, for educational purposes.
Why a Sci-Fi Writer Would Publish a Physics Paper
1. Creative-Physics Synergy: Tregillis, a physicist and *Wild Cards* contributor, proposed the project to explore the virus’s “canon” through mathematical rigor. Martin’s role likely involved contextualizing the fictional universe’s rules.
2. Educational Outreach: The paper aims to engage students by framing physics problems within an imaginative narrative. As Tregillis noted, it transforms a “whimsical” premise into a “straightforward exercise in classical dynamics” .
3. Promoting Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The project bridges speculative fiction and science, showcasing how world-building can inspire scientific inquiry—and vice versa
4. Expanding the *Wild Cards* Universe: The model provides a canonical reference for future stories while avoiding rigid constraints, as Martin emphasized that storytelling “is about characters, not equations.“
Critics have questioned Martin’s technical contribution level, but the collaboration underscores the value of blending narrative creativity with scientific exploration. The paper also highlights the *American Journal of Physics*’s focus on pedagogical innovation over cutting-edge research, making such unconventional studies feasible.
So, I thought, how should I deal with this quirky paper? Recently, we have built an AI agent affectionately named Jarvis to help with our business. Yes, he is named for the AI butler in Ironman. First, it is important to realize that ChatGPT and other LLM AI platforms are not what Jarvis is. He is an agent who consults with them in conversation to answer problem questions more diversely. The key word is a conversation, where the LLMs task each other to report new models rather than just parroting.
So, based on George’s paper, I asked Jarvis to report on a belief that the simulation theory has now been proven and how we break out.
As a side note, I was into my 4th chapter of a sci-fi book and screenplay titled Alive when Covid erupted. Was I getting too close to the truth? Maybe I need George to help me finish that damned book, but it is hard to write a sci-fi book when you are living in a sci-fi world. Maybe I should retitle it “It’s a Wonderful Life.” or Bye Bye American Pie.
Escaping a perceived simulation—especially one characterized by deception—touches on technical hypotheses and psychological coping strategies. While there is no conclusive evidence that we live in a simulation, the idea has inspired diverse theories about potential “escape routes,” philosophical reflections on reality, and mental health considerations for those experiencing existential distress. Below is an analysis of the proposed solutions and their implications:
Technical Escape Methods
Several scientists and theorists have explored ways to disrupt or exit a hypothetical simulation, often drawing parallels to hacking computational systems:
1. Overloading the Simulation
– Von Neumann probes—self-replicating space probes—could exponentially multiply, straining computational resources and potentially revealing glitches or forcing shutdowns.
– Large-scale human activities, like mass meditation or synchronized global events, might “stress-test” the system, though there’s no empirical basis for this.
2. Exploiting Quantum Anomalies
– Detecting inconsistencies in quantum mechanics (e.g., superposition, entanglement) could reveal simulation “glitches.” Experiments leveraging quantum phenomena, like delayed-choice quantum erasers, might probe the limits of programmed reality.
3. Communicating with Simulators
– Constructing massive, attention-grabbing structures (e.g., geometric patterns or encoded messages) could signal awareness to hypothetical creators. Alternatively, ethical appeals to “sympathetic observers” might prompt intervention.
Psychological and Existential Approaches
For those feeling trapped by the simulation hypothesis or societal deceit, mental health strategies and philosophical reframing are critical:
Grounding Techniques
– Depersonalization/derealization (DPDR) symptoms—common in simulation-related anxiety—can be managed through mindfulness, sensory engagement (e.g., touching textured objects), and focusing on tangible relationships.
Redefining Meaning
– Philosophers like David Chalmers argue that even if reality is simulated, conscious experiences, relationships, and personal growth retain intrinsic value[. Embracing curiosity about the Simulation’s rules (e.g., creativity, scientific exploration) could foster purpose.
Avoiding Overanalysis
– Obsessive scrutiny of reality’s nature often exacerbates distress. Redirecting energy toward hobbies, art, or community engagement can mitigate existential paralysis.
Ethical and Philosophical Considerations
1. The “Do No Harm” Principle
– If other beings in the Simulation are conscious, actions aimed at escape (e.g., overloading systems) risk harming them. Ethical frameworks suggest prioritizing empathy and collective well-being[6][38].
2. The Simulation as a Catalyst
– Belief in a simulation could inspire innovation in AI, virtual reality, or physics—fields that might one day enable creating or understanding simulations.
3. Lack of Evidence
– No empirical proof supports the simulation hypothesis. Many scientists, like Carl Sagan, emphasize that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
Conclusion
While technical “escape plans” remain speculative, the simulation hypothesis underscores deeper questions about reality’s nature and human agency. Combining grounding practices with philosophical inquiry may offer clarity for those struggling with feelings of deception or unreality. As technology advances, the line between simulated and “base” realities may blur further—but until then, engaging meaningfully with the world as it appears remains a resilient response to existential uncertainty.
After Thought
It is not a phenomena that articles, sales and news show up shortly after we verbalize something around our phone. Google, Meta, Apple and Amazon all do it. It is not a coincidence, but merely technology monitoring us. Is it far fetched to believe the creators are listening and mirroring us in the simulation. Maybe we could visualize a world where everyone is happy with a smile on their face as a simple scientific study.
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