Category: Random Thoughts ad Muses

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Bank of America Claims There’s a 20%-50% chance we’re inside the matrix and reality is just a simulation

The thing is: We’d never know it anyway.  In a note to clients out Tuesday, Bank of America Merrill Lynch said there’s a 20%-50% chance that we’re living in the matrix — meaning that the world we experience as “real” is actually just a simulation.  The firm cites comments from Elon Musk, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Nick Bostrom’s seminal paper on the issue as the basis for its 20%-50% view.  Here’s BAML (emphasis added): “Many scientists, philosophers, and business leaders believe that there is a 20-50% probability that humans are already living in a computer-simulated virtual world. In April 2016, researchers gathered at the American Museum of Natural History to debate this notion.

The thing is: We’d never know it anyway.

In a note to clients out Tuesday, Bank of America Merrill Lynch said there’s a 20%-50% chance that we’re living in the matrix — meaning that the world we experience as “real” is actually just a simulation.

The firm cites comments from Elon Musk, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Nick Bostrom’s seminal paper on the issue as the basis for its 20%-50% view.

Here’s BAML (emphasis added):

“Many scientists, philosophers, and business leaders believe that there is a 20-50% probability that humans are already living in a computer-simulated virtual world. In April 2016, researchers gathered at the American Museum of Natural History to debate this notion. The argument is that we are already approaching photorealistic 3D simulations that millions of people can simultaneously participate in. It is conceivable that with advancements in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and computing power, members of future civilizations could have decided to run a simulation of their ancestors.”

BAML also notably highlights Nick Bostrom’s three probable scenarios for the human race, which are 1. extinction before reaching a “posthuman” stage, 2. reaching posthuman existence but not simulating evolutionary history, and 3. we are in the matrix already.

Reading Bostrom’s 2003 paper, however, makes clear we’d never really have access to full knowledge of any of these scenarios because, as Bostrom concludes, “Unless we are now living in a simulation, our descendants will almost certainly never run an ancestor-simulation.”

This “if true, then true, otherwise false” construct means none of this philosophical struggle really matters anyway.

We’re either in the matrix or we’re not. And if we’re not, we’re unlikely to create the matrix because if the matrix were plausible it would’ve been created anyway. And we’d be in it.

The investment implications remain unclear.


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THE ESSENTIAL KEY TO SUCCESS

The greatest lesson I’ve learned over the years is that the essential key to success is Keeping Your Word.

 THE ESSENTIAL KEY TO SUCCESS

The greatest lesson I’ve learned over the years is that the essential key to success is Keeping Your Word.

At the heart of successful entrepreneurship or artistic pursuit, three values reign supreme: Integrity, Trust, and Respect. How does one cultivate these pillars of success? It begins with honoring your word.

Indeed, it’s as straightforward as it sounds. Be consistent and dependable, even when the tasks seem trivial. They could hold immense importance to others and significantly influence your relationship or project’s trajectory. So, if you’ve promised to email or call someone ‘before Thursday,’ ensure it is done by then. This may sound stern, but maintaining reliability and punctuality forms the foundation of trust—your paramount focus.

So, what often disrupts our good intentions to keep our word? Overcommitment is a likely culprit. If, like me, you’re quick to jump on new ideas and projects, there may come a time when you realize you’ve overextended yourself. Suddenly, your commitment to a project is untenable due to time constraints and competing priorities. This predicament is common—trust me, I’ve been there. That’s why it’s wise to deliberate before agreeing, learn to prioritize, and choose what will serve you and your career best. It’s about respect—both for yourself and your collaborators.

Navigating the music industry, or any competitive field, is tough, but it’s crucial to remember that you can adhere to your ethical standards and still attain your objectives. Embrace the fact that integrity and honesty will always propel you further in life than shortcuts or deceit. This is the path to true and lasting success.

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