Post 48: The Simulation, A Short Story

Robert Roboski was enjoying his ride home as he crossed over a river listening to his favorite podcaster.  As the podcast played, Robert appreciated the view, the river glittering under the August sun.   On the opposite side a burst of green from a tree-lined river bank reflected off the surface of the sunlit water.  His self-driving Tesla allowed him to enjoy the scenery without worry.  He was in a zone, relaxed and focused. Then the podcast ended and his Bluetooth somehow picked a new one that he had never listened to before. A well respected physicist was opining on how we are undoubtedly living in a simulation and that many of his colleagues agreed.  He cited the strange behavior of quantum particles and their infinite paths in the double-slit experiment.  When Robert heard this his jaw clenched and he could feel his heart racing.  How could these physicists, who don’t believe in God, assume we are in a simulation begun by some unseen power?  No experiments are currently possible to prove or disprove either assertion. Yet these “rational” scientists put their faith in a theory no less provable than the existence of God. Robert was startled by his own anger, suspecting few would share his reaction. The physicist’s claim grated against his rational worldview.

By the time Robert pulled into his driveway, he had calmed down. He was looking forward to a dinner party with friends, another couple they had known for some time. “Hi, Julia, I think I’ve got everything you wanted from the store. I wandered back-and-forth along the shelves, asking three employees for help and getting sent to different aisles. A kind store clerk finally guided me to the last item on your list.”  His wife said nothing but had an expression of benign amusement that one might see a mother giving to a confused child.

At 47, Robert gave the impression of sturdy strength.  He was broad, muscled, short and had a full head of bushy, brown hair.   Although some would say he was handsome, he paled in comparison to his wife, Julia, who was a real beauty.  She was as tall as Robert, with slender arms and legs, small breasts, and flowing, silky red hair.  Robert felt lucky to have such a wonderful and attractive wife.  

Robert was an accountant and prided himself in viewing the world from a rational perspective.  Perhaps the reason he became angry in the car was his view of the irrationality of the physicist’s assertion.  To him it was not just irrational but also an obvious double standard shown in the physicist’s belief in some higher level “simulator” that creates our world.  Julia, on the other hand, prided herself on her practicality, hard work and ability to get things done.  To her the issue that upset Robert was of no consequence. For this reason Robert never mentioned to her his unsettled feelings in his car ride home.  Instead, he focused on helping Julia as she bustled about, arranging appetizers and setting the table for dinner.

By the time Sarah and Mike, their dinner guests, arrived at their home, Julia had the dinner and appetizers already prepared.  Sarah was a research biologist and worked in a nearby university.  Mike was trained as a mechanic and owned a successful automotive repair business.  They made an attractive couple and Robert and Julia felt lucky to have them as friends.  

Over drinks and appetizers they were having a lively conversation about children, jobs, happenings in the neighborhood and even a little politics.  As the conversation continued, Robert brought up his reaction to the podcast he heard in his car.  “I heard this physicist today who said we are certainly in a simulation and that many physicists agree.   Doesn’t this sound like a double standard coming from an atheist scientist?”  Mike had an amused look as he took a sip of his drink, “Sounds like you are watching too much sci-fi”.   Both Mike and Julia looked at one another with a bored expression and started their own conversation.  But Sarah was very interested.  She moved to another chair closer to Robert and leaned in toward him.  She argued that yes we are in a simulation.  But it is a simulation created by our own minds, not some higher power.  She quoted Shakespeare, “All the world’s a stage and men and women the players”.   “We make it all up,” Sarah said, leaning forward, her eyes bright. “Our minds and bodies weave stories about the world. Every concept, every belief—it’s a simulation we create.” Robert was taken aback. “So you agree with the physicist?” he asked. “I don’t agree or disagree, nor do I have expertise in quantum physics, but I do strongly agree that we are in a simulation of our own making”.  Robert asked, “So you think it might be something like in the movie, The Matrix, and we humans are living in a simulation created by the machines that have taken over?”.  “Not exactly” she answered.   That is a story about yet another “power” - machines - creating the world we see in front of us.  I maintain we do it to ourselves.”  At this point Julia looked over at them and rolled her eyes, “Would you two come down from space and join the rest of us humans”.  Robert and Sarah knew their conversation was not appreciated by the whole party, and looked at one another with resignation.  Sarah said, “OK, no more woo-woo.  Let’s talk about things of common interest.”  Julia agreed, and proceeded to describe the menu for dinner.  Mike remarked, “Food is a topic we all have an appetite for”.  

When their friends left after a wonderful meal and a pleasant evening together, Julia looked at Robert with a pained expression on her face.  “Next time maybe you can find a topic we can all be interested in”.  Robert was about to argue in his defense, but hesitated.  They all had a great evening together and why ruin the good vibes with an argument.  “Maybe Sarah and I got a little carried away, but I think we all had a good time”.  Hearing this, Julia visibly relaxed and the two of them began clearing the dishes.  As Julia stood at the kitchen sink, Robert wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck.  It was a good night.  

The next day Robert could not get out of his mind Sarah’s argument that we are all in a simulation, not one from outside, but from our own human mind.  Could this be why the ancient Greek Stoics counseled “You have power over your mind - not outside events” or “Everything we hear is opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is perspective, not the truth.”  Robert thought to himself, “If we are in a simulation of our own making, maybe we have some control over it, and the Stoics were on to something.”  Maybe, Robert thought, “what has happened since my car ride yesterday is itself a simulation?”