Second Thoughts on "First Life"

One time, a neighbor-guy came over to say hello.  Quick--thinking, I sprung into action, building a shed around him with no doors, so he couldn't get out.  I made it out of glass -- obviously -- so I could watch him implore me to let him out.  It was funny.

...but maybe I shouldn't have done that.  Especially now that I read that maybe my "First Life" thing wasn't a joke.  Maybe when I did that shed-thing, while playing "Sims" on my PC, there was another guy watching me do that on his PC, and I, myself, am a Sim, simulating a game of Sims with my bad Sim-self.

My simulated head hurts. 

But this guy thinks that's for real what's happening, and the writer for the NYTimes not only agrees, he thinks it's MORE likely.  We're all part of a computer simulation on some powerful computer. 

This Times writer is among many who mock "Intelligent Design".  Ludicrous!  But, he says, there IS a solid chance we're all being played by a "Prime Designer". 

So you do the math:  God-as-designer?  Laughable.  But we're-all-in-a-computer-simulation-with-a-designer-on-a-couch?  Well, sure!  (Someday, somehow, I hope to become as wish-fulfillingly naive as a skeptic.)

Anyway, we're all Sims now.  Could be better (Why can't I be in Madden?) but it beats being put in the middle of "Medal of Honor", or having barrels thrown out you by a giant monkey.  I'd just like the Designer to use some cheats so I could get some cash for an awesome TV.  Or make me Qbert.  Thank you.

Comments

[Steve_11]

It was awfully gracious of the Prime Designer to give us free will.
If you were in Madden '08 you probably would have been cast as Michael Vick, and he 'aint playing but he's got lots of time and money to play video games on an awesome plasma TV. You might like that somewhat ironic twist of fate?

[Doug Hannah]

OK, Done.

You are now Qbert.

[shaungroves]

I found the warp to level ten. It's the third tube. Meet me there. Lots of coin there for your TV, and shrooms and a hot princess.

[Gaby]

Sounds like a re-hash Olaf Stapledon's "Starmaker" from like, the 30's, man. Truly nothing new under the sun.

[Shawn Bashor]

Qbert? I was thinking of you more along the lines of Delbert.