The Matrix

From Simulism

The Matrix (imdb entry) is the single most illustrative movie for the Simulism concept. In The Matrix, 'the machines' have created a second degree simulation of the earth as it was in 1999, and keep the bodies of all humans in a comatose state to harvest their energy, while connecting the mind to the simulation.

The movie revolves around Neo, the main character, becoming aware of the simulation. The realisation that his world is a simulation, and thus bound by rules set forth by the creators of the simulation, allows him to gain superhuman capabilities.

Below are a set of concepts from The Matrix with their relation to Simulism.

Plugging in

In the movie, people enter the matrix by plugging in; i.e. inserting a connector directly into the brain. This allows the brain to interact directly with the simulation. All sensory inputs are rewired so they receive signals from the matrix, instead of from the real world. This effectively makes the matrix seem completely real to those connected. This concept isn't as farfetched as you would imagine. It's a logical and efficient step in human/computer interfacing.

Residual Self-Image

This is how Morpheus explains to Neo that in The Matrix, he looks different than in the real world. Basically, what he explains is that Neo is actually controlling an avatar (comparable to how you control a character in The Sims).

Downloading

The people that are aware of the simulation can download capabilities into their brains. This can probably be compared to installing a predefined blueprint of neurons into your brain. The movie isn't really clear whether capabilities aquired by downloading are available both inside the matrix and inside the real world. On the one hand, I can imagine that the software could never alter physical neurons, so this knowledge would be available only inside the matrix. On the other hand, the avatar in the matrix is controlled completely by the real brain, so this would suggest that the capabilities should be available in the real world too.

Agent

An agent is a character inside the matrix that is not connected to a real person, but completely controlled by the simulation (thus, a first degree simulation). In the movie, the agents can take the place of arbitrary humans. The way this could work is that the agent temporarily takes over control of the avatar. (This is similar to 'switching characters' in The Sims).