Rizwan Virk | The Simulation Hypothesis | Talks at Google

2019 marks the 20th anniversary of what is arguably one of the best Science fiction movies ever made - The Matrix. It popularized an ancient idea that the world we live in may not be real. In other words, our world is just an illusion, a simulation -- a video game.

So, Are we really living in a video game?
Game industry veteran Rizwan (Riz) Virk believes this could be true.

Virk’s books include: Startup Myths and Models: Secrets They Don't Teach You at Stanford Business School, from Columbia University Press (2020), Zen Entrepreneurship: Walking the Path of the Career Warrior (2013), and Treasure Hunt: Follow Your Inner Clues to Find True Success (2017).

[dbrinas]

Im just here after listening to him in Rogan's podcast

[shandanaadurrani]

one of my oldest friends in the world and one of the smartest people i know. go rizwan!

[travisclymer]

Great point Rizz! I peaked out on LSD at 14 yrs old and saw the “reality” beyond sober consciousness. It was crazy, yes, but revealing! The simulation hypothesis fits perfect with sane rational because of the “truth” I viewed beyond the simulation! It’s cray, we live in a simulated reality. For sure.

[shamanicrevolution]

This is the most interesting talk I have ever seen in my life hands down.

[tomb]

It's amazing that I am watching this video 4 years after it was posted, and video games and VR has already taken leaps and bounds.

[AlmostBipedal]

Once they realize that we've discovered the truth, they'll reboot! :)

[TheZignal]

'Everything happens for a reason' takes on a whole new slant when considered within the framework of the simulation theory. Almost a leftover remnant of 'what to remember when the simulation kicks in'. 'DON'T PANIC'.

[HeduAI]

“In quantum physics in our physical universe, only that which gets observed actually gets rendered” - Rizwan Virk

[holdforth]

Would like an unlimited health and money cheat...

[OldNewMama]

“All y’all Mario, it’s all a game.”
-Kanye West

[samrowbotham]

There were two problems with the book, Riz did not deal adequately with the problem of infinite regress regarding the Ancestor simulation hypothesis he skimmed over it. He went into detail about reincarnation but made no mention of the Eternal Return see Videos and books by Anthony Peake on that subject. Peake talks about the Daemon/Eidolon dyad the Daemeon is the game player this is your higher self and the eidolon is the avatar. Peake argues when the avatar dies its then reborn and plays the game of life all over again this is Eternal Recurrence as referenced by Nietzsche and others.

The Idealism championed by Bernardo Kastrup (a computer scientist) et al is the correct interpretation we are not in a computer we are in a Mind and that Mind dreams the world and everything in the world.
Regarding bugs the Mandela effect is strong evidence for the simulation argument, some want to dismiss it as faulty memory but I have a strong memory and have experienced it several times.

[Gamesforyourmind]

I spend most of my time collapsing probability waves on youtube.

[pheresy]

I liked your example of how any instrument used to measure the "simulation" is also a product of the "simulation".
That metaphor can be extended to the example of video games. No matter where you search within whatever fantastic realm, that any particular video game fabricates, you will never find a single clue as to the actual structure or source of the video game itself. NO video game possesses the actual "off/on switch" or "power source" needed to "stop/start it", or "source code" needed to change it. You must possess "extra operator access" in order to accomplish any of those functions, which can only be acquired outside of the "virtual reality".
So the question remains: Since, we as players, actually exist beyond this simulation, what steps are we required to take, for us to regain that awareness of ourselves beyond this "game"?
This is the subject of "wisdom teachings" conveyed by many teachers...
So if you are driving one of those cars in that "racing game", pull over, hop the rail, then trudge across the large field and climb to the top of that Fuji-like mountain.... it is waiting for you there .. heh heh! ;-)

[ronabraham]

One hypothesis i would like to make is that everybody is living in their own universe. The universe you see around you, would therefore be your own universe where you are a PC and everyone around you is a NPC. So your goal in life, is to cross over your obstacles in your life, that you find in your universe. This also means that from time to time, one or the other NPCs in your universe will interact with you to help you cross over certain obstacles. It is a given that the sentient being or beings outside of the simulation have the power to influence your universe, but not make decisions for you, because that would change the rules by which the universe exists as your universe, where you are its center and authority, which is the basis of free will.

[allenraider]

Surprised no one challenged him on the allegations of spoon bending, which doesn't happen. That is a claim that requires proof beyond
anecdotes.

[DJaquithFL]

If you're an immortal superior consciousness what would you do to abate that reality? Pain and pleasure of feeling and finiteness of mortality .. might be the sole escape.

[lilyv.]

His book gives a very thorough overview of various versions on how we can be living in simulation. It is quite technical too. The book doesn't cover enough questions of our life's purpose and the role of god. I just finished Answers in Simulation kindle book that gives good spiritual guidance while living in simulation.

[mattmarceau]

If this guy had spoken to Joe Rogan, he would have gotten it

[PartyQuest]

i hate how nobody else is excited and don't cheer and share his feelings! his the only one who motivates the entire room, it's hard to stay happy and consistent when nobody else is sharing your passion.

[hoagied]

The weirder things get out there the more I wonder if in some base reality, I chose to link in to a game called America 3.0 where the user spends 30 years getting accustomed to prosperous life and then experiences the collapse of the most powerful nation in human history.