We’re going to do a thought experiment called The Experience Machine. Here’s how it works:
Imagine scientists have created a machine you can plug into for the rest of your life. Once connected, you’ll experience a perfect simulation — you’ll fall in love, achieve your dreams, have amazing adventures. It will feel completely real. You won’t know you’re in a machine.
But none of it will actually be happening. Your real body just floats in a tank.
Would you plug in?
Stand up if you would plug into the machine.
Stay seated if you would choose to stay in the real world.
If you said no — why? The experiences feel identical. What’s the difference between “real” happiness and simulated happiness if you can’t tell them apart?
Does reality matter, or only how things feel?
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- learningnow