What is base reality? Taking a reference from a Black Mirror episode (Season 6, episode 1), could this be fictitious level one or perhaps level two? Admittedly, the perspectives I’m sharing are all riffs from the philosophical ideas of Philip K. Dick and Nick Bostrom. Both of which have influenced the way I view reality.
To establish a foundation, let’s delve into the concept of a simulated reality. Drawing inspiration from Philip K. Dick’s “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” and Nick Bostrom’s “Simulation Theory, I’ll rant a bit about the idea that our perceived reality could be elaborate simulation and for me, the Onewheel furthers the feeling and sensation that reality is not what it seems.
Creator of the Simulation
We are at a point in our lives where Artificial Intelligence, augmented reality and the rate of technological advancements have increased so rapidly that one is left to wonder,” would we ever get to a technological point in time where we (or someone) can simulate realities?”
Sure technological progress may slow down, but expanding the timeline 10, 100, 10,000, or a million years. In time, at least from my perspective, it’s very feasible that realities can be a construct of some sort. To a degree, we already build simulated realties in video games. AI chat bots are so close sounding like sentient beings how can you not feel the way I do? Do we live in fictious level one now? The idea that we are in base-reality seems to be a mathematical improbability.
If you believe this is a simulation, then you have to concede to the idea that there is a creator to this construct. Perhaps the Universe is a metaverse made by our creator. My point here is that a creator (Thee Creator) can exist in the concept of simulation theory. Its the only metaverse (uni-verse) we experience – our universe and I believe that simulation theory can still align with the views of all beliefs (from atheists to theists). Its simply how we interpret reality after all. While this is reality as we know it, maybe there’s a spiritual or some metaphysical realm we do not see. This could be in fictitious level one, two or so on.
This isn’t intended to get into any theological debate. If anything, I am just offering a little pretext to my thoughts. Simply put, reality is what we can sense. Sensation comes to us through electronic signals interpreted by our body via the brain. We only have to look as far as Elon Musk and how his company is working on Neuralink so pardon my leap in suggesting that brain waves can alter perceptions of reality or that this is a simulated reality.
Blurring the Lines – Sensations of Reality and Onewheel Riding
Reality has the laws of physics imposed on us. This could simply be code constructed into our reality. Perhaps in another fictious level, gravity is lessened or its something entirely different however in this reality we are all bound by the code (laws of physics) that limits and allows us to experience “reality” in the ways we do.
Its morning time and after my morning routine of coffee and walking through my stiff and still-sleepy body, I take a drive to my favorite trail spot. Its not recommended for many reasons (including safety), but riding with headphones on (especially noise-cancellation) isn’t the best advice to give riders. There are times where you want to escape into your music and so headphones offer the escape that my mind needs at times.
With headphones on and a Onewheel under my feet, I enter into a surreal state of reality. The Onewheel is this conduit for me to experience another reality within this reality – a fictious level. Totally wrapped into the music and the feeling of floating and gliding through nature’s surroundings, I feel like I’m defying the conventional limitations of my physical reality.
Escaping Into a Dream-like Reality
There are moments while riding that feel so surreal. Being purposely lost in the woods while being so enveloped by the music and the float, it’s as if reality itself becomes uncertain for me. I ride and I often think about the boundaries of what’s possible.
On certain occasions, while riding, I channel my anger and recklessly send it almost as if I’m purposefully challenging the boundaries of my mortality. I want to feel alive. I want to feel something. I want to feel anything other than the awfulness in my true reality. I just want to feel purpose and in a strangely twisted way, riding with an element of danger allows me to experience that.
Especially with a futuristic soundtrack playing in your ears, you envision yourself to be like Flynn in the movie Tron. You imagine to be in a race where there are physics that remain within the game however with a Onewheel, you have some abilities to bend them. Rewriting the laws of physics for that moment (or so if feels).
There are also times that I envision myself as a weightless specter, ghost or spirit, just floating over this realm. Observing it as if I’m no longer a part of this physical presence. I often imagine what I look like to a remote bystander.
Did they just see a ghost float through the woods? Am I still alive because I feel like I’m floating. I don’t want to test physics with a nosedive but I need a pinch on the arm, a nosedive or something to remind me this is real.
It’s close enough of a dream-like feeling sometimes that sometimes I wonder if I died and this is some sort of afterlife program or realm I’m in.
Re-entering This Construct of of My Life
Around the middle or end of my trail rides, I’ll remove my headphones. The “reality” of nature is sensed more-so at that moment. Often its a warm sun complimented by the music of nature. Wind blowing, birds sounding, leaves falling. There’s a subtle orchestral symphony playing for me that I didn’t notice when I started out for my ride. After taking a little time to revel in the moment, I ride a little more with just the languages of nature to accompany me. I listen intently hoping I have the ability to decipher what to make of the conversation.
Depending on the days and the mental state I’m in, I’ll ride along with the sounds of nature alone. Sometimes I don’t need headphones or added music. Immersing myself in nature’s orchestral movements alone suffices. I gain a little more fluency in nature’s language and realize that she’s been giving me cues on all my rides. Nature lifts our spirits as we float through the wood pointing us to simple joys of this reality and the irony of using a complex device to appreciate such a simplistic feeling.
If heaven on earth is a place then floating in this ethereal state within nature is it. Take it all in or you miss out on life she says. The beauty of Onewheels lies in their abilities. In life and on the trail, Onewheels smoothen out the rough patches along the way. As the ride concludes, you depart with a greater sense of ease. You know that the realities of life still await but they become a bit more manageable.
The Onewheel gets stowed in its rightful spot in my office. Its always waiting there for a quick escape from this reality when I need it. The simplicity of it. Just go float. It will change the reality you live.