FabSwingers.com mobile

Already registered?
Login here

Back to forum list
Back to The Lounge

The Experience Machine

Jump to newest
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

Hiya Everyone!

I was pondering this while sitting here wishing I could dull the pain, so I thought I would drag you all down the rabbit hole with me

There is a famous thought-experiment by Rober Nozick called the Experience Machine. Its purpose is to refute ethical hedonism, but for the purposes of this thread I'm just interested in your honest views for fun.

So, if you could imagine a machine that you could plug into and you could experience all that you consider pleasurable (not just sexually, you dirty people!) would you choose that machine over living your actual life? Is there something intrinsically valuable to life, or would you give it all up to live great experiences through a synthetic medium? Assume that your experiences in the machine would feel the same as real life.

What do you guys think?

-Courtney

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *oward1978Man
over a year ago

Rotherham

If the experiences you felt on the machine were EXACTLY like real life then I would happily hook myself up it. My real life is and has been a bit of a drag up to this point. I'd quite happily take some relief from it for a while.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"If the experiences you felt on the machine were EXACTLY like real life then I would happily hook myself up it. My real life is and has been a bit of a drag up to this point. I'd quite happily take some relief from it for a while."

So you don't think there is any intrinsic value to the real experiences, even if they aren't perfect?

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Well if hooking yourself up to it is permanent then I probably wouldn't.Because even though your virtual life is great you'd be taking yourself out of the lives that care for you. And maybe that thought would stick with you throughout your virtual experience.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Hiya Everyone!

I was pondering this while sitting here wishing I could dull the pain, so I thought I would drag you all down the rabbit hole with me

There is a famous thought-experiment by Rober Nozick called the Experience Machine. Its purpose is to refute ethical hedonism, but for the purposes of this thread I'm just interested in your honest views for fun.

So, if you could imagine a machine that you could plug into and you could experience all that you consider pleasurable (not just sexually, you dirty people!) would you choose that machine over living your actual life? Is there something intrinsically valuable to life, or would you give it all up to live great experiences through a synthetic medium? Assume that your experiences in the machine would feel the same as real life.

What do you guys think?

-Courtney "

Not a chance, I love being with people too much and doing things that have meaning. The machine could never replicate it.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If anyone knows the red dwarf shows then they are aware of the "better than life" game.

This game is sooooo good that people forget to eat and drink, and end up dead.

We would all like to escape real life now and then, but would the alternative be so good that some will not want to leave????

answers on a postage stamp please, lolz

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Hiya Everyone!

I was pondering this while sitting here wishing I could dull the pain, so I thought I would drag you all down the rabbit hole with me

There is a famous thought-experiment by Rober Nozick called the Experience Machine. Its purpose is to refute ethical hedonism, but for the purposes of this thread I'm just interested in your honest views for fun.

So, if you could imagine a machine that you could plug into and you could experience all that you consider pleasurable (not just sexually, you dirty people!) would you choose that machine over living your actual life? Is there something intrinsically valuable to life, or would you give it all up to live great experiences through a synthetic medium? Assume that your experiences in the machine would feel the same as real life.

What do you guys think?

-Courtney

Not a chance, I love being with people too much and doing things that have meaning. The machine could never replicate it."

But other people can be in the machine as well. So for you, they would be there. Its just that it wouldn't really be them, but rather a fake them.....if you get my meaning. You don't have to be alone in the machine...

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *oward1978Man
over a year ago

Rotherham


"If the experiences you felt on the machine were EXACTLY like real life then I would happily hook myself up it. My real life is and has been a bit of a drag up to this point. I'd quite happily take some relief from it for a while.

So you don't think there is any intrinsic value to the real experiences, even if they aren't perfect?"

There's certainly great value in the not-so-perfect things we experience. We learn much more about life and ourselves from the bad experiences than the good. But trust me, from a purely personal perspective I've experienced enough shit to last me a lifetime. Stop the world I'm getting off! Plug me into the machine please!

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Hiya Everyone!

I was pondering this while sitting here wishing I could dull the pain, so I thought I would drag you all down the rabbit hole with me

There is a famous thought-experiment by Rober Nozick called the Experience Machine. Its purpose is to refute ethical hedonism, but for the purposes of this thread I'm just interested in your honest views for fun.

So, if you could imagine a machine that you could plug into and you could experience all that you consider pleasurable (not just sexually, you dirty people!) would you choose that machine over living your actual life? Is there something intrinsically valuable to life, or would you give it all up to live great experiences through a synthetic medium? Assume that your experiences in the machine would feel the same as real life.

What do you guys think?

-Courtney

Not a chance, I love being with people too much and doing things that have meaning. The machine could never replicate it.

But other people can be in the machine as well. So for you, they would be there. Its just that it wouldn't really be them, but rather a fake them.....if you get my meaning. You don't have to be alone in the machine..."

Wouldn't be real and authentic and I'd know that and therefore wouldn't feel the same pleasure

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

No because to experience life is to experience the bad side of life. Things such as grief, loss, anger make the pleasurable experiences more meaningful.

Just to live a life of pleasure would be great at the start but as the novelty worn off you'd probably have to push those experiences to new extremes to generate any pleasure as everything became mundane.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Hiya Everyone!

I was pondering this while sitting here wishing I could dull the pain, so I thought I would drag you all down the rabbit hole with me

There is a famous thought-experiment by Rober Nozick called the Experience Machine. Its purpose is to refute ethical hedonism, but for the purposes of this thread I'm just interested in your honest views for fun.

So, if you could imagine a machine that you could plug into and you could experience all that you consider pleasurable (not just sexually, you dirty people!) would you choose that machine over living your actual life? Is there something intrinsically valuable to life, or would you give it all up to live great experiences through a synthetic medium? Assume that your experiences in the machine would feel the same as real life.

What do you guys think?

-Courtney "

I personally am sick of technology not some much technology that saves life although preserving a life for the sake of breathing I find ridiculous,I mean cameras that watch your every move from almost every street corner ,satellite watching us from above ,computers ,computers games mobile phones etc its ruining life for our children and their children ,people are losing the ability to interact with eachother to think for themselves ( let's google it ) in the future people won't need to think and being individual will be frowned upon .this site and sites like it along with porn are ruining sex for future generation's ruining relationships by showing kids you have to live up to this or look like this or you won't appeal others ,I think the cultures in the world that have the simplest lifestyles are the happiest and most social and sometimes the healthiest

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Red Pill / Blue Pill

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Ooh a great topic. So many positive and negative points to consider. Overall though I think I will take life as it is. I never did understand The Matrix.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Red Pill / Blue Pill"

Yes, the Matrix did put a twist on Nozick's thought-experiment, but it deals with a different issue. The nature of the Matrix was much more negative - its purpose more destructive - than what I am asking here...

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Real life every time Courney. Its very precious to me.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *igeiaWoman
over a year ago

Bristol

Pleasurable experiences are only classified as such because they stand out from the mundane. Without contrast there is no context so give me real life every time.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Pleasurable experiences are only classified as such because they stand out from the mundane. Without contrast there is no context so give me real life every time."

a perfect life would be boring, but soooooo less stressful, lolz

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *eanut Butter CupWoman
over a year ago

B & M Bargains


"Hiya Everyone!

I was pondering this while sitting here wishing I could dull the pain, so I thought I would drag you all down the rabbit hole with me

There is a famous thought-experiment by Rober Nozick called the Experience Machine. Its purpose is to refute ethical hedonism, but for the purposes of this thread I'm just interested in your honest views for fun.

So, if you could imagine a machine that you could plug into and you could experience all that you consider pleasurable (not just sexually, you dirty people!) would you choose that machine over living your actual life? Is there something intrinsically valuable to life, or would you give it all up to live great experiences through a synthetic medium? Assume that your experiences in the machine would feel the same as real life.

What do you guys think?

-Courtney "

I wouldn't. I enjoy moaning about life too much to have great experiences constantly!

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

No cause pleasure means nothing without the pain to contrast it to xx

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Have found that some of the most horrible things that have happened, have truly shaped my life and who I am.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

To everyone who is saying that pleasure has to be contrasted against pain:

1-How very Platonic of you!

2- If you have already experienced real life, with its pleasures and pain, surely you have already experienced the pain to contrast with the pleasure in the simulator?

-Courtney

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"To everyone who is saying that pleasure has to be contrasted against pain:

1-How very Platonic of you!

2- If you have already experienced real life, with its pleasures and pain, surely you have already experienced the pain to contrast with the pleasure in the simulator?

-Courtney"

Yes but most experiences fade with time...

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I like my misery,it makes me appreciate the happiness in my life.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"To everyone who is saying that pleasure has to be contrasted against pain:

1-How very Platonic of you!

2- If you have already experienced real life, with its pleasures and pain, surely you have already experienced the pain to contrast with the pleasure in the simulator?

-Courtney"

It's something that you would still need as a constant though

is misery in your life to fully stimulate your mind and senses. The only way it could work for any length of time is if the person had not experienced much in the way of joy and pleasure before. Even then there would come a point where life would lack a challenge and boredom would set in.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *oward1978Man
over a year ago

Rotherham


"Have found that some of the most horrible things that have happened, have truly shaped my life and who I am."

This is so very true. A bad experience is like a dose of reality. The good times are meaningless, almost dreamlike if you haven't sampled the ugly side of life. Like bad medicine, it tastes terrible but it'll ultimately do you good. You come out the other side a better person if you don't allow yourself to be swallowed up in the process.

I'll happily take all I've learnt in this world and take that with me into 'the machine'. The human mind can only stand so much. I'll happily take an eternity of good times right now please.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury

Maybe we're in the Matrix and bin Laden was trying to get us out?

:o

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

So to clarify... Were plugging ourselves into a machine that we invent to escape a reality which we made.... And in this new reality we'll probably have to invent another machine to escape the new reality because we'll fuck that up to!...

Sounds a bit like well... Taking heroin.

I prefer to channel my energies into changing the reality of which I'm currently in!

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"So to clarify... Were plugging ourselves into a machine that we invent to escape a reality which we made.... And in this new reality we'll probably have to invent another machine to escape the new reality because we'll fuck that up to!...

Sounds a bit like well... Taking heroin.

I prefer to channel my energies into changing the reality of which I'm currently in! "

But we didn't make this reality (from which we are escaping). Unless you're god?

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

Whilst I love pleasure, I think I'm too much of a control freak to abdicate myself into the machine. It can sometimes be preferable to have the stuff happen that I'd probably never select via a machine's control panel, than just to take a journey that's not dictated by life.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"So to clarify... Were plugging ourselves into a machine that we invent to escape a reality which we made.... And in this new reality we'll probably have to invent another machine to escape the new reality because we'll fuck that up to!...

Sounds a bit like well... Taking heroin.

I prefer to channel my energies into changing the reality of which I'm currently in!

But we didn't make this reality (from which we are escaping). Unless you're god? "

.

I'm not God.... I'm just a gas engineer!

Having said that I've worked more miracles than God on old boilers past there sell by date!

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 
 

By *eonardoLoveMan
over a year ago

London


"Hiya Everyone!

I was pondering this while sitting here wishing I could dull the pain, so I thought I would drag you all down the rabbit hole with me

There is a famous thought-experiment by Rober Nozick called the Experience Machine. Its purpose is to refute ethical hedonism, but for the purposes of this thread I'm just interested in your honest views for fun.

So, if you could imagine a machine that you could plug into and you could experience all that you consider pleasurable (not just sexually, you dirty people!) would you choose that machine over living your actual life? Is there something intrinsically valuable to life, or would you give it all up to live great experiences through a synthetic medium? Assume that your experiences in the machine would feel the same as real life.

What do you guys think?

-Courtney "

I think there was really something in your water, apart from minerals

You see we live to get emotions, feelings, sensations. This is what makes us alive. People use drugs, get d*unk, engange in multiple sexual relationships to feel something, or try to. In some period of my life I would have used this kind of machine yes. It is a sort of mind-sex toy

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
Post new Message to Thread
back to top