How close are we to the Matrix scenario in real life?

RainKingX

To OP,

You're as close as your mind will take you.

**qqqq1**

hi dbyte it me from last night .. i became a new member of your faction chariots of fire. i have been trying to log in but the system states that my charator is in use . i read on the help pages that i need a GM to help and rescue my character so that i can get back into the matrix. could you ask a \GM to help me as i cant as not able to get into game.

I really wanted to get back in the game as well tonight. CAn you come back to me asap

thANKS

QQQQ1

[CoZ]LostProphet

Humanity is nowhere close to creating a sentient program.

'Clever AI' is one thing, sentience is a whole other world that requires processing power we can't even hope to create at this point - and I mean in one place, not a massive distributed computing system.

We ARE getting worryingly closer to technology helping the governments to look into our lives closer than I personally would like, but that's a whole other kettle of fish.

Sent

To the OP,

By the Matrix scenario I'm not sure what you mean. Do you mean in becoming the equivalent of the machines who have the ability to create and administer a simulation like the Matrix? I would say more than 50 years away, but there are so many variables it is hard to be certain.

To LostProphet,

Just a few thoughts from someone who has given this general topic a lot of study and thought.

Maybe it's better to ask questions than make statements...

How do you define a "sentient" or "self-aware" program in the first place? Are all homo sapiens currently living even that? Just what exactly are you, anyway? Where does it end and where does it begin, what are the criteria? An emodied collection of memories, a habituated set of abilities and reactive emotive patterns? Are you sure your definitions are what you could call objectively correct? Could it be that much of how we define and describe ourselves are delusions for reasons of economy and survival?