Good explanation about the VR. I would have to say I agree there. Dreams are tricky because they exist as a real experience. Some say they can be predictors, and sometimes they are an extension of something else. I actually had two weird dreams Thursday night. They were similar but still different. I had to take one of the critters to the vet in the morning, and both dreams involved going to the vet. In the latter dream, somehow I managed to get to the vet, but I didn't have the cat with me (I have two hounds and two Siamese cats). Anyway, I think the dream might have been an extension of reality. When I have to wake up in the morning at a certain time, I can be fanatical about making sure it happens, so maybe the dream was an extension of that concern (just something to ponder).
With the Matrix. I would say it's probably real to the people within it, but those on the outside have a greater understanding of that reality. But then is raises a lot of questions about things like what is preferable for society or even when regulating drugs. If the drug hides the pain, is the pain still there? Conditionally yes, but conceptually no. But each holds weight in its own context.
I agree about the shark. It wasn't real, but my reactions at times was real. From there you could even make an argument for the importance of randomness. If the experience is the same 100 percent of the time, the impact will diminish. If I know when the shark is about to jump at me, then it can't serve its intended purpose.
Your closing statement was spot on. We are all products of our upbringing. We can always break from certain aspects, but we still carry it with us.
With the Matrix. I would say it's probably real to the people within it, but those on the outside have a greater understanding of that reality. But then is raises a lot of questions about things like what is preferable for society or even when regulating drugs. If the drug hides the pain, is the pain still there? Conditionally yes, but conceptually no. But each holds weight in its own context.
I agree about the shark. It wasn't real, but my reactions at times was real. From there you could even make an argument for the importance of randomness. If the experience is the same 100 percent of the time, the impact will diminish. If I know when the shark is about to jump at me, then it can't serve its intended purpose.
Your closing statement was spot on. We are all products of our upbringing. We can always break from certain aspects, but we still carry it with us.
