i do not see it as the equivalent of matrix, where a virtual reality is
created and maintained. but if you are a materialist, a human is no
different
from a computer. we may have been programmed by nature while computers may
need programming by us. nonetheless, if a finite mass (the human population)
can exhibit certain traits, why not some other finite mass?
--ravi
^^^^^
CB: As I said, I can't think of an abstract principle excluding the
possibility you pose.
To me , the Matrix movie is kind of ambiguous on the issue of whether the
_computers_ have attained society and social being, reproductive,
regenerative self-perpetuative purposes. I suppose one of those characters
could be a sort of Wizard of Oz human running all the computer stuff from
behind the scenes. I really couldn't follow all that was supposed to be
happening. But I just grabbed at it for its currency in this discussion.
I guess the issue of biologicality , computers somehow duplicating
biological evolution , enters in.
