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They have to keep up all the computing infrastructure running the simulation, and deal with long-term threats like geological activity and asteroids. That requi

They have to keep up all the computing infrastructure running the simulation, and deal with long-term threats like geological activity and asteroids. That requires having and maintaining considerable technology out in the real world, and if only a mere 10% refuse to enter the simulation, then that minority may not get to benefit from spacefaring technology, or have the capital or industrial base to develop their own. In fact, since spacefaring presents a threat (kinetic bombardment) to any planetary-bound species, then that majority who choose to enter the simulation may want to expressly prevent the minority from leaving the planet.

mordymoop 5y ago
This is obviously not impossible, but we are now in the realm of adding clauses to an already rather specific scenario, each clause adding another degree of improbability. (The odds of "an upload cult arises on a planet" is by definition greater than "an upload cult arises on a planet AND actively presents anybody else on the planet from ever leaving.) I think the metaphor to look to isn't necessarily even human civilizations spreading around the globe; it's life spreading through the planet to colonize every niche out of which the slightest scrap of energy can be extracted.
z3ncyberpunk 5y ago
That's their problem, those who did not Matrix themselves are not beholden to those who gave away their lives without force, but since they are virtual, they have none and exist where the 10% can pull their plug at any time. You out too much faith in virtual existence
DocTomoe 5y ago
Wouldn't it be a lot easier for the non-uploaders to, you know, just pull the plug? Or change the input to the digital existances in a way to simulate a reality "outside"?
- Mediterraneo10 5y ago
  No, because – as I mentioned above – the uploaders would still maintaining all kinds of technology to monitor and control the outside world in order to ward off any threats (natural disasters, sabotage from the non-uploaders) to the computing infrastructure on which the simulations are running. If the majority of society chooses to upload, then that suggests that such protective infrastructure is already so stable and advanced, that the non-uploaders would be powerless to simply "pull the plug".
- philistine 5y ago
  You're getting very close to ending up with the script to The Matrix.

mordymoop 5y ago

This is obviously not impossible, but we are now in the realm of adding clauses to an already rather specific scenario, each clause adding another degree of improbability. (The odds of "an upload cult arises on a planet" is by definition greater than "an upload cult arises on a planet AND actively presents anybody else on the planet from ever leaving.) I think the metaphor to look to isn't necessarily even human civilizations spreading around the globe; it's life spreading through the planet to colonize every niche out of which the slightest scrap of energy can be extracted.

z3ncyberpunk 5y ago

That's their problem, those who did not Matrix themselves are not beholden to those who gave away their lives without force, but since they are virtual, they have none and exist where the 10% can pull their plug at any time. You out too much faith in virtual existence

DocTomoe 5y ago

Wouldn't it be a lot easier for the non-uploaders to, you know, just pull the plug? Or change the input to the digital existances in a way to simulate a reality "outside"?

Mediterraneo10 5y ago
No, because – as I mentioned above – the uploaders would still maintaining all kinds of technology to monitor and control the outside world in order to ward off any threats (natural disasters, sabotage from the non-uploaders) to the computing infrastructure on which the simulations are running. If the majority of society chooses to upload, then that suggests that such protective infrastructure is already so stable and advanced, that the non-uploaders would be powerless to simply "pull the plug".
philistine 5y ago
You're getting very close to ending up with the script to The Matrix.