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is thread has given me an opportunity to focus/confirm my thoughts on Socialism ( thanks INow ). And why B Sanders should not be considered the 'boogey man' by Republicans and Democrats alike Both Socialism and Capitalism have a use and, if not corrupted ( big IF ), can be beneficial for society. Capitalism gives everyone the opportunity to care for themselves. Socialism gives society the opportunity to take care of everyone equally. It would seem that a mix of the two allows for people to better themselves, while ensuring that no-one is left behind

C'est la vie.

I was actually unable to find any study that showed money to be the primary motivator. https://hbr.org/2013/04/does-money-really-affect-motiv

If this is indeed a simulation why is it ridiculous to think it may have begun last Thursday? When do you propose the simulation actually began?

Like perhaps a test for God? Unless we KNOW the testable characteristics of a simulation, the only thing you can test for is what you IMAGINE a simulation to look like. Similarly I can test for God only if I KNOW a physical characteristic unique to God that I can test for. Otherwise I'm testing for God by seeing the beauty in a child's face or the miracle of living through a horrendous car crash. It may be that a lattice structure is evidence of God, not a simulation.

You're right about the consolidation of the defense industry Alex. I'm most familiar with the aerospace industry... In the 50s and 60 there were dozens of defense contractors, healthy competition, and world leading products. Now Boeing has acquired McDonnell and Douglas. Lockeed joined Martin, and acquired Hughes aircraft, and Convair from General Dynamics. Northrop joined Grumman. LTV ( Vought ) was acquired by the Carlyle group and hasn't been heard from since. Fairchild joined Republic and proceeded to go bankrupt. We now have Boeing, LM and Northrop-Grumman providing the new trainers and the KC-46 with huge cost overruns, the F-35 with huge cost overruns, and the B-21 with huge cost overruns respectively. You are right Phi, guarantee is too strongly worded. But it does seem to turn out that way quite often. Probably because greed is a great motivator.

As I said, they will one day concoct a test we can't even imagine today. That's my faith in science. I even have one in mind, but it will require a powerful quantum computer. Btw, I reject and despise last-thursdayism. I find it to be extremely naive and a direct insult to an otherwise valid hypothesis. Nothing is impossible, given enough time and technological advancement.