# A Humorous Look at 2020: Was it All Just a Simulation?
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Chapter 1: The Conspiracy Begins
“Perhaps we ought to stop indulging in these conspiracy theories,” the man on the phone sighs. The irony isn’t lost on you since he’s the one claiming that 2020 is merely a computer simulation. Still, you can see his point. You’ve managed to trace the origins of the coronavirus from a lab in China to one in North Korea, and then to Russia, ultimately leading back to the U.S. Now, you find yourself in West Desert, Utah—truly in the middle of nowhere.
“Fine!” you exclaim. “Is there a faster route to that food market in Wuhan?”
“You could just hit the back button,” he replies, though his tone lacks the conviction of the real Lawrence Fishburne. “But beware of a potential Rick-roll.”
You grumble quietly as you weigh your options.
Section 1.1: An Unexpected Visitor
“What’s that?” you shout suddenly.
There’s no response from the line, but you already suspect what’s coming.
The Monolith—yes, that enigmatic structure that appeared and vanished in Utah, and now it’s back. You hear heavy breathing. Someone is sprinting toward you.
Out of the Monolith emerges a tall, middle-aged Black man dressed in dark clothing. As he approaches, you recognize the distinct moustache.
“Neil deGrasse Tyson!” you exclaim.
The famed astrophysicist leans over, gasping. “I’m so relieved to find you! You need to come with me. Things have spiraled out of control!”
“What’s happening?” you inquire.
He stumbles over his words. “E-e-everything! One minute masks aren’t necessary, and the next, they are mandatory! Law enforcement is using pepper spray on children! And one in ten white women has legally changed her name to Karen!”
You’re taken aback to see Neil deGrasse Tyson so flustered. He’s always seemed so composed. “What do you expect me to do about it?”
“We need to stop Elon Musk!” he insists.
“Elon Musk?”
Neil throws his hands in the air. “Yes! Everything that happened in 2020 is his fault! It’s all because of his simulation program!”
He proceeds to elaborate on how it all began with a StarTalk video he made back in March.
For a considerable time, both Neil deGrasse Tyson and Elon Musk have maintained that our universe exists as a simulation. They align with a thought experiment by Swedish philosopher Nick Bostrom, which proposes three scenarios regarding the fate of human-like civilizations:
- Civilizations always go extinct before they can create simulated realities;
- If any civilization can reach this level of technology, they won’t bother to run simulations; or
- Advanced civilizations would create numerous simulations, meaning simulated worlds far outnumber the real ones.
This casts doubt on the idea that we live in a unique universe, suggesting instead that a programmer in another dimension might have crafted our reality. However, in March 2020, Neil started to reconsider. He argued that just as modern filmmakers tend to reflect their own times, advanced programmers are likely to construct simulations based on their own technological era, making it less probable that our world is a simulation.
“But Elon wasn’t convinced,” Neil explains. “So he did what Elon always does. He retreated to his lab and tried to prove everyone wrong.”
Section 1.2: A Confrontation
“Oh no! It’s Elon Musk! And he’s armed!”
“I won’t let you dismantle my simulation program,” Elon declares. “Do you have any idea how much time I’ve invested in it?”
Neil attempts to reason with him.
“TOO LONG, Neil!” Elon retorts. “I’ve put in WAY too much time!”
His demeanor is erratic, and he gives off an odd odor—like burnt rubber.
“Listen, Elon,” Neil says, inching closer to the gunman. “This has to end.”
“Why?” Elon asks.
“People are dying. Democracy is hanging by a thread. A South Korean film just won an Oscar!”
“Isn’t that a positive thing?” Elon responds.
“THE OTHER TWO AREN’T!” Neil exclaims. “Look, we might have our differences—”
“Just tell me you believe in the simulation theory,” Elon demands, his voice turning sinister.
“I never said I didn’t! I just said my conviction has lessened!”
Elon’s grip on the gun wavers, and his expression softens slightly.
“We’re on the same side,” Neil reassures him. “We both believe in using science and engineering for the greater good.”
Elon swallows hard. “That’s true.”
“And as a scientist, I must adjust my beliefs based on new evidence.”
“I agree.”
“And you have to stop creating these high-concept gadgets that only partially function!”
“But I’m an engineer!” Elon protests.
“You ignore the science!” Neil shouts. “You just throw random equations out there and hope they work!”
Elon circles Neil like a frantic animal. “I’m an innovator, Neil! A visionary!”
“Yeah? Well, I actually use my EYES, Elon! And they tell me your simulation program is failing! Just like your fourth SpaceX rocket!”
“Hey! Keep my rockets out of this!”
“Okay, fine! This is just like your fifth SpaceX rocket! How about your sixth?”
Elon bristles. “You scientists are so inflexible!”
“You engineers are so gullible!”
Their argument continues, and you start to feel exhausted by their squabbling. Watching Elon Musk and Neil deGrasse Tyson is akin to witnessing two children bicker in a playground (they’re practically pulling each other’s hair).
Ultimately, you decide it’s time to leave. 2020 has been baffling, and the signs suggest 2021 won’t be any clearer.
However, you find comfort in knowing that two of the world’s brightest minds are hard at work addressing the chaos of 2020, along with countless doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and essential workers.
Turning back to observe the two men tussling in the sandy desert, you begin to clap.
THE END
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