Would you live in VR?

[robvalue]

Well....

That's probably what's going on right now in our life actually.

But this VR machine cannot go wrong! And as we all know, Douglas Adams makes us very strong assurances in such situations.

I think I'd set up a virtual clone of myself to keep an eye on things, and to nudge out any problems.

Coming back to what irrational said, if I found out I was in VR... I probably wouldn't want to wake up, but because of the risk of "real life" being worse. It probably was worse, for me to get into the machine.

[ignoramus]

So you want to consciously be on both sides of the sandbox at the same time! I don't even think that's possible?

Just program it so that you just strap on some explosives and press the button, and then it just ejects you from the sim?
Isn't that what most people are doing these days when they're sick of their VR session?

[robvalue]

Well...

It wouldn't actually be me on the other side. Just a fake artificial version of me, that's aware enough to see if something has gone wrong.

[robvalue]

Lol I realised I didn't say how exactly I would make this "fake version of me" to watch the VR machine! I forgot you can't just magic stuff up in reality

I'd have to pay some chump to watch it I guess.

Say we found out "this isn't real"... what would that even mean? This reality, that is. It's "not real". What difference would it make to anything? If we all have experiences in it, how has anything changed?

It would be different if I found out no one else but me was having experiences, of course.

[paulpablo]

Paul. But if it's as real as this life? That's Rob's point? There's no guarantee that you're not a brain in a vat in this life anyway, is there?

There's no guarantee I'm not a brain in a vat but there's no evidence I am.  

The way Rob is asking the question he's basically sold it to me.  No worrying about abandoned loved ones or any complicated problems, and I live thousands and thousands of years in my perception, I'll definitely take that.

On the other hand say if they did invent this VR machine, the thousands of years lifespan wasn't involved and you take all the negative complications that come with having instant virtual gratification instead of real life challenges then I wouldn't be comfortable with the idea of turning my back on the challenges of real life.

It's the complications I'd have to question.  I imagine if a machine like this did exist and people could breed within the machines you would end up with an entire breed of physically weak, stupid, naive people.  You can see what happens to some people when they get whatever they want, especially at a young immature age. Even if you put challenges into the machine, unless it's programmed perfectly then it won't be as tough as real life challenges, and if they are as tough as real life challenges then your life will be the same anyway inside or outside of the machine.

[AkiraTheViking]

I would if this means that it's my consciousness was transferred from my brain in there so I'll have no use for that annoy thing known as a body.

[brewer]

Hey Rob, sorry I'm late. Didn't read all of the 9 pages.

One question. Do I get to age and die in VR? Maybe previously addressed. If so, sorry.

[robvalue]

Akira: Indeed! You can have whatever body you want in VR, or no body at all I suppose! Welcome to the forum by the way!

Brewer: No prob

Well, that's up to you. Your real body will age and eventually die, but your existence in the VR can work however you want. You could have it simulating aging, or just pick a certain age.

You can have whatever you want basically, the machine can make you "feel" anything you could possibly imagine.

Paul: I agree that in most cases, the complications would be a huge overriding factor, and it would have to be a pretty hopeless situation personally or globally for there to be no moral decision to make.

[Iroscato]

Are you shitting me? I get to become a space pirate with a heart of gold and a ship bigger than a city?
I'd fight a million men in the streets armed with a rusty spoon and my great-aunt's colostomy bag to get my hands on that.

[The Valkyrie]

No.