Our universe seems real, but is it really? As humans get better at simulating artificial intelligence, it seems at least plausible that we could create life that is both conscious and has free will. And if we can create conscious life, who's to say that the universe, as we know it, wasn't created by superintelligent artificial intelligence who wanted to simulate their past?
In this week's podcast, we talk to Nick Bostrom, the Oxford University philosopher who originally came up with the simulation hypothesis. According to Bostrom, it makes at least as much sense for us to be living in a simulation as it does for us to not be. Then, we switch gears ever so slightly to talk with Craig Hogan, a Department of Energy researcher who is actively trying to prove that we're living not in a simulation, but in a hologram, which is a completely different thing. Finally, the Motherboard staff talks about glitches in the Matrix or moments that seem totally unreal.As always, thank you for listening. You can subscribe to us on iTunes and Soundcloud, and we really do welcome any feedback. Leave a comment or tweet your favorite Glitch in the Matrix moment to @adrjeffries or @jason_koebler.Our podcast is sponsored by Casper Mattresses. One perfect mattress that you can try risk free for 100 days. It comes in an impossibly small box, and you can return it if you don't like it. Use code VICE for $50 off any order.Perfect Worlds is a series on Motherboard about simulations, imitations, and models. Follow along here.