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We all remember how Elon Musk raised everyone’s eyebrows by stating he believes we live in a simulation. With a perfectly straight face.
And while for many, it may be hard to process the idea, scientists have backed up the belief in such a scenario, like the Oxford philosopher Nick Bostrom, who has a theory that suggests we may be living in a computer simulation. Computer scientist Rizwan Virk analyzed this possibility further in his 2019 book “The Simulation Hypothesis.” And there are many more thinkers who are totally for the idea that we do live a simulated computer reality.
So if life is indeed a video game, we'd better get our cheat codes ready. And thanks to a person who posted this question “What are some cheat codes you've found in the game of life?” on r/AskReddit, we may now find out some of the most useful commands, hacks, and shortcuts that will surely come in handy. So take your notebooks out, kids, we are about to finally nail this game called life.
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#1
Niceness gets you everywhere. I get free [stuff] from being nice. And no, it's not because I'm a cute girl. Because I'm not. I'm an overweight, balding man. People respond to niceness. I've befriended the Comcast customer support person. I've befriended the most disliked, crotchety person in our office. I get special treatment at my cafeteria because I treat the service staff like actual human beings. I get fees waived because I asked nicely.
Be nice. It costs little and is worth a lot.
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#2
Several times in life I've cold called a company to confirm my interview time. I didn't have one prior to my call, but in their confusion and inability to even find my resume I've managed to secure an interview about four out of five times. Twice I've gotten the job.
"What are some cheat codes you've found in the game of life?" is a metaphorical question, Rohan Roberts told Bored Panda in an interview via email. Rohan is an innovator, author, entrepreneur, and edtech advisor who was happy to share some insights on the hypotheses that we live in a simulation with our readers.
Rohan explained that there are undoubtedly many people who literally believe life is a simulation or a game, Elon Musk being one of them. “Also, in Eastern philosophy, particularly in Vedanta, a metaphorical perspective they take is to view life as a game. In so far as both games and life have rules to abide by, laws by which the physical universe is governed, and ultimately, that there is no purpose to both a game and to life,” he explained and added that “we play a game for the fun of it.”
“Similarly, the perspective in some Eastern philosophies is that there is no higher purpose in life,” Rohan continued. “Nothing beyond playing the game of life for the sake of playing the game of life. Alan Watts, the famous British-American philosopher from the '50s and '60s often espouses this view. For example, here.”
#3
Introverts think then talk, extroverts think while they talk.
Took a class that said if you want to run a good meeting, wait 10 seconds before moving on. Introverts (such as myself) need time to process before they speak. Started running my meetings this way and I will be damned if the introverts didn't start speaking more and providing really good input.
Kirsten Kerkhof 3 years ago
Also, some people need time to get started when they reply. One of my colleagues needs two or three seemingly mindless sentences to get to his actual answer, but he tends to be right. Sadly, some people in the past didn't give him that time and it really crushed his confidence so now he just doesn't offer input for fear of being cut off impatiently. Really sad.
#4
Compliment your children with "you are a hard worker" and not "you're smart". Studies show that kids who think they're hard workers outperform kids who think they're smart.
Lauren Caswell 3 years ago
Yes! It's not what you know it's your persistence, your curiosity, your kindness. And notice when they are doing the right thing, and thank them or acknowledge their responsible choice. Otherwise they only get negative feedback. And it's adorably sweet when, in return, a wee voice pipes up "good job mummy you peeled all those carrots nicely" ❤
#5
Ask questions, about everything. Ask people about themselves. Be open about stuff you don't understand, and ask questions about that. When you forget someone's name, own up to it and just ask them.
I am amazed at how many people won't acknowledge even a tiny amount of ignorance, or won't show honest curiosity about something, can't admit they've forgotten something they feel is important, and won't ever ask for help. Guys...your life becomes so much easier if you just drop the [effin] ego and ask.
However, “most reputable scientists don't entertain the notion that we live in a simulation and don't have much to say on this,” Rohan said. At the same time, there are some prominent voices in the scientific community who have voiced their opinions.
Rohan elaborates: “Swedish philosopher and professor at Oxford, Nick Bostrom, has said that there is a 50-50 chance that we live in a simulation; but he has also said that we are almost certainly living in a computer simulation. Swedish-American physicist and professor at MIT, Max Tegmark, seems to take the opposite view. In an interview with the Guardian, he says, 'Is it logically possible that we are in a simulation? Yes. Are we probably in a simulation? I would say no.' Harvard theoretical physicist Lisa Randall is even more skeptical. 'I don’t see that there’s really an argument for it. There’s no real evidence.'”
#6
When someone says something true, say “you’re right”, not “i know”. It’ll make them feel better and you’ve still shown everyone how awfully clever you are.
Just a girl with a brain 3 years ago
I know a lot of random facts so whenever someone says a random fact that I know I now say you’re right instead of I know and it makes them feel so much better
#7
I am an assistant teacher in a preschool. Asking if kids can use their sitting muscles and listening muscles during circle time makes the kids want to show me how "strong" they are.
#8
No one stops a guy or girl carrying a pizza. It can get you backstage to concerts.
But the real problem with the simulation hypothesis is that there is no way to prove it. “And that's what makes it unscientific,” adds Rohan.“Science philosopher Karl Popper proposed the Falsification Principle as a way of demarcating science from non-science. It suggests that for a theory to be considered scientific it must be able to be tested and conceivably proven false. For example, the hypothesis that 'all swans are white' can be falsified by observing a black swan.”
In the same way, there’s no good way we could falsify the claim that the universe is a simulation. “We don't have a good way of doing that, to the best of my knowledge. If we were, indeed, living in a simulation, it cannot really be tested. Any test we use will itself be part of the simulation,” he explained.
#9
Just be nice, particularly to people in the service industry. Your job, your personal interactions, even your calls into customer service will go 100% easier if you’re just nice to people and recognize that they’re probably just trying to do their job, not screw you over.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
Can't be repeated enough but still seems a mystery to a lot of belligerent and entitled people.
#10
You don’t have to always “give away the recipe”.
By that I mean, don’t over explain yourself. If you can’t do something, 9/10 times it’s okay to simply say “unfortunately I’m not able to do that”, “can’t swing it this time”, etc. You don’t have to go on and on about why, or make up reasons and list them off. Over explaining just ends up looking more suspect than simply being clear and concise.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
My boss told me to reply " You're asking too much from me." and leave it at that. Works wonders.
#11
The correct response to any compliment is "Thank you." You can then follow it up with a comment if you'd like to continue the conversation. If someone likes your dress? "Thank you, it has pockets!" If someone compliments your art? "Thank you, I've been practicing." If someone asks if you're a professional singer because you have a good singing voice? "Thank you, I just sing for fun."
Not only does it make you seem confident and self-assured, it tells them that they are right! That's a friendly thing to do.
This even works if you don't believe the compliment. Saying, "Oh, no, I'm ugly," when someone compliments your appearance not only tells them that they're wrong, it makes you think of yourself as ugly. A better answer would be, "Thank you, I really appreciate that and I don't always believe it, so hearing that from you helps."
Softsquatch 3 years ago
a compliment is a gift. immediately rejecting it is pretty rude and probably makes the other person feel uncomfortable.
So according to Rohan, whether the simulation hypothesis is true or not all boils down to the evidence. “We must remember that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence—and what can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.”
“At the same time, however, we would do well to keep in mind that the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. That said, if this universe were, indeed, created by a programmer, we’d still be left with the question, 'who programmed the Programmer?’" Rohan concluded.
#12
I cannot overstate how much dressing well and being well groomed will impact your life. It'll drop the difficulty by two or three levels. No joke. People will treat you VASTLY differently. The opposite is also true.
#13
When I was in my old 500+ person building, I kept a stack of papers on my desk. When I was bored, or got tired of sitting down, I'd get up, grab my stack of papers and walk around. I called them my "walking papers" and did this for months. Got a lot of head nods and not one question the entire time. People always assumed I was on an important mission, but nope. Not in the least.
PS: worked on the executive floor / wing, too.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
"Never walk around empty-handed" First lesson on the first day I started my working career. And that was somewhere in the previous century.
#14
If you admit you're wrong and make changes to whatever it is that you're wrong about, people will respect and appreciate you more.
Unfortunately this requires the swallow_ego.pill patch installed. Without this you will be incapable of being a civil person.
Bored Panda also spoke to Tim Ventura, a futurist, digital marketing executive, and writer with a passion for the future. Tim explained that in a "perfect" simulation, “there is no way to prove that we live in a simulation. In fact, it has been argued that a 'perfect' simulation can't be viewed as a simulation at all—you might view it more as a parallel universe or another dimension.” This idea goes back to “Plato's Allegory of the Cave, and the easy way of thinking of it is this: if we live in a perfect simulation, then even if it's simulated and there is a 'top level' reality out there, we're still real,” Tim explained.
Meanwhile, “If the simulation has flaws or takes 'shortcuts,' then it may be possible to prove we live in a simulation. There are possible examples of this—for instance, it has been noted that the 'double slit experiment' (along with much of quantum uncertainty) in physics offers similar results to a gaming system that doesn't render map images that won't be seen by the player.”
#15
As a doctor, I learned that earning grades, and learning are two different things.
Catlady6000 3 years ago
The worst Dr I ever went to graduated at the top of his class. Zero communication skills, Zero ability to listen
#16
Once you unlock ‘not giving a [damn] about other people’s thoughts’ you basically double your mana indefinitely.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
Fun fact: Other people do not even think about you and even if they did, in 99% of all cases you'll never see them again in your life.
Tim argues that ultimately, the view that we may live in a simulation is simply another way of expressing that the universe we live in has "structure." “It's best not to take it too seriously, because even if it's true, we're not bits & bytes on a desktop computer,” he warned and added: “The kind of equipment required to simulate an entire world would be very advanced, and different enough to us that it would likely appear to be magical in nature.”
“Speaking of which, that could be one advantage of living in a simulation: if the rules are programmed, then the programmers could change them. Perhaps Heaven does exist because somebody coded it for us,” Tim laughed.
#18
If you have no complaints about your food service/staff at a restaurant, ask to see the manager and pay a compliment and a "thank you" about the server/host/staff. Usually people want to see a manager to complain, and a compliment is nearly always welcome.
I've gotten countless free drinks/appetizers/chips/% off my bill - all for just making a polite comment to management.
GalacticUnicorn 3 years ago (edited)
So many of these are "be nice and you'll get free stuff". What about just being nice to people because it's a lovely thing to do? Why do people have to be paid to be kind?
#19
Faking confidence usually leads to actually being more confident. I love the phrase fake it till you make it. Its incredible how much success is a byproduct of just acting confident about whatever you are doing.
Katie Lutesinger 3 years ago
I read an article by a woman who did an experiment and found out how much easier it is when you don't explain yourself all the time and instead just sound very sure of yourself. Instead of "we shouldn't do that because" she would say "we're not going to do that", and was surprised to find out that people just went along with it, no questions asked. Explaining would make them more inclined to argue.
#20
Not a cheat code, but an Easter egg:
If you ask someone if they know ALL the words to “I’m a little teapot” around 80% of the people you ask will start singing it.
Half of those will do the gestures.
#21
If you tuck a chicken’s head under its wing and wave the chicken in a circle, it will automatically fall asleep. It’s not a very good cheat code, but it’s still a cheat code to get you sleeping chickens.
#22
When married don't stop treating your significant other like you did when you were trying to win them over, it is a great way to show them you're still as infatuated with them as you were when you first met.
Hannah Edwards 3 years ago
For me the initial infatuation mellowed to something deeper and far more precious. Plus we can fart in front of each other now.
#23
If any website offers a percentage coupon code like "10percentoff" try higher values like "20percentoff", they often have them.
#24
If you are punctual, smartly dressed, and quite friendly, you can actually get pretty far in most jobs without being that good at anything or trying very hard.
#25
When my daughter was little and still believed band-aids cured things, one time she had a belly ache so I put one on her belly and it made her feel better. Power of placebos!
#26
Underpromise and Overperform. Say you'll achieve less than you think you will and then do more and everyone will be impressed (works well at a job)
#27
Say “Thank you” instead of “I’m sorry” in most situations.
“Thank you for your patience,” is much better than, “I’m sorry I’m late.”
Julie C Rose 3 years ago
Actually, if your lateness is your fault, you should apologise. People tend to approach this advice with no nuance, when in fact there are times when apologising is still better.
#28
Act like you belong. In any situation. It will change your life. Also I've found that you become what you pretend to be. So be good.
#29
I had a professor in college who, while lecturing, suddenly let out a huge fart. Without pausing, he turned his head as if talking to someone behind him, said "Gesundheit," and continued lecturing as if nothing had happened.
It immediately diffused defused any potential awkwardness and embarrassment, and I vowed to use the same strategy if the same thing ever happened to me in front of a large crowd of people.
Alex the awful German 3 years ago
I think this needs explaination: "Gesundheit" is German and originally means "health", but you also use it to say "bless you" e.g. when someone sneezed.
#30
You can borrow almost all of your textbooks from the library as a college student because of modern book rental agreements most colleges have.
WorldCAT allows you to be linked to almost any library in America, and all you have to do is find your book in the system and fill out a request form at a library and it should be there in a week. I’ve saved probably $2000 doing this in my first two years of college.
#31
Doing your own research especially on the important stuff. You would be amazed about the bad information people use to make life choices.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
Nah, I'd rather live my life based on the sound advice of some fool on Youtube who hasn't left his cellar for 4 years and is living on his dad's money.
#32
Set the do not disturb feature on your phone to turn on from 10pm-7am.
You will sleep so much better without constant notifications from emails, games, or your mother in law who wants to send a group message at midnight because she is in a different timezone.
If you have people you want to be able to reach you (family/girlfriend/boyfriend), you can make a special list that will let only their calls/messages come through.
Katie Lutesinger 3 years ago
I turn my phone off at night. Whatever it is, it can wait until morning.
#33
Walk with a purpose. For some reason, people think you're busy and you don't get hassled.
Eslamala 3 years ago
Living in a small city and being part of a known family, I mastered this at a very young age. It was so annoying to go out with my mom or my grandpa and having to stop on almost every fücking block cause they ran into someone they knew... One of the many reasons I always wear sunglasses and headphones.
#34
I have a heated throw blanket in my living room- in the winter, I wrap my coat up in it , crank up the heat and in a few minutes, my coat is toasty warm so I can brave the coldest day.
Lunar Bicycle 3 years ago
Here’s the opposite: clothes just of the dryer on a hot summer day, but you have to dress and leave immediately? Five minutes in the freezer will cool them nicely. People who wear uniforms to work can really benefit from this.
#35
As an adult you can tell almost any kid who is running to stop running and they will.
What do you think ?
bonnyatlast 3 years ago
In negotiations about anything that you or your group needs never explain only your point of view. Explain first and always how it will benefit the other party. People don't care about your problems. They respond to things that will benefit them. Sad but true.
Kimberly moving songs 3 years ago
Also, make them agree with something, even if it's completly unrelated. "It's a beautiful sunna day outside" and they agree, you start of better
Load More Replies...
Arthur Waite 3 years ago
I wish I'd come upon this article -seriously- Sixty Years Ago! Some points hit me like lightning bolts; so many things wrong in my life that could have gone better! Too late now, I'm 73, but wow, I wish!
IlovemydogShilo 3 years ago
It's never a bad time to be a good person. And it's never a good time to be a bad person. Better late then never.
Load More Replies...
Chich 3 years ago
Could just be my bad memory but next time you are out buy a selection of birthday/anniversary/"whatever" cards and put them somewhere safe so they are there when you need them. Sometimes we forget these things. Also, (unrelated) learn to just say "no" with no explanation. Took me far too long to learn this.
sTeALtHy 3 years ago
I don't like how people say "Oh, it's so easy to be nice," because it's really not. Just an opinion, but I find it difficult to sometimes bite my tongue from making a snarky comment or cooperate with people who I don't agree with.
SloeLoris 3 years ago
Exactly. And it's only ever easy to be nice to nice people who are being nice to you. Being nice to someone who's a determined bumhole to you is a skill, and sometimes a superpower.
Load More Replies...
Patti Vance 3 years ago
no. just saying 'no'. it is a powerful word on so many levels but such a boon to you as you learn to say no to things you don't want to do and learn not to allow others make you feel guilty for doing so. so many people - including myself - say yes to things they don't want to do just because it is expected of them or they don't want the other person(s) to think badly of them. self care is important and saying no is part of that. now, if it is something that is very important and/or necessary then you have to decide /weigh that value. but, i am talking about issues that aren't going to cause harm or problems that are irreparable. the other thing is saying 'i'm sorry' if you are wrong. it doesn't make you look weak but strong in your integrity and character. will you lose friends, make family angry? possibly. but that also is a boon to you as you will know who values you as much as you value yourself. doesn't make you a selfish a-hole.
Amanda Reicha 3 years ago
My favorite quote when it comes to making important decisions: "If you try, you might fail, But if you don't try, you'll never succeed." -Thomas A. Knight
Kim Kermes 3 years ago
The First Sergeant at advanced training ended his orientation talk yesterday telling us: "Be where you're supposed to be when you're supposed to be doing what you're supposed to be doing, and don't attract my attention, and you'll do well.
Gandalf the Pink 3 years ago (edited)
If you wanna improve your friendships, become a giftbringer. Give your friends small thoughtful things. Like if you and a friend plan to meet at a cafe, show up early and buy them a coffee before they get there. You can pick wildflowers and show up with a bouquet, that one is free. You can bake them something. You can ask to do their dishes when you're at their place. Just small gifts like that will go a long way and swing right back at you. Very cool friendships await.
SloeLoris 3 years ago
My lifehack: pick one thing and master it. Doesn't matter if it's rocket science or brain surgery or the D&D Monster Manual or growing rhubarb or knowing all the words to 'I Will Survive' in a dozen different languages. As long as it makes you genuinely feel like an expert on your topic. Not only will a sense of mastery give you *immensely* increased self-confidence, you'll be learning to learn and training your brain to be open to new knowledge.
Tracy Wallick 3 years ago
If you hand something to someone while they're talking, they'll take it without thinking.
bonnyatlast 3 years ago
In negotiations about anything that you or your group needs never explain only your point of view. Explain first and always how it will benefit the other party. People don't care about your problems. They respond to things that will benefit them. Sad but true.
Kimberly moving songs 3 years ago
Also, make them agree with something, even if it's completly unrelated. "It's a beautiful sunna day outside" and they agree, you start of better
Load More Replies... Arthur Waite 3 years ago
I wish I'd come upon this article -seriously- Sixty Years Ago! Some points hit me like lightning bolts; so many things wrong in my life that could have gone better! Too late now, I'm 73, but wow, I wish!
IlovemydogShilo 3 years ago
It's never a bad time to be a good person. And it's never a good time to be a bad person. Better late then never.
Load More Replies... Chich 3 years ago
Could just be my bad memory but next time you are out buy a selection of birthday/anniversary/"whatever" cards and put them somewhere safe so they are there when you need them. Sometimes we forget these things. Also, (unrelated) learn to just say "no" with no explanation. Took me far too long to learn this.
sTeALtHy 3 years ago
I don't like how people say "Oh, it's so easy to be nice," because it's really not. Just an opinion, but I find it difficult to sometimes bite my tongue from making a snarky comment or cooperate with people who I don't agree with.
SloeLoris 3 years ago
Exactly. And it's only ever easy to be nice to nice people who are being nice to you. Being nice to someone who's a determined bumhole to you is a skill, and sometimes a superpower.
Load More Replies... Patti Vance 3 years ago
no. just saying 'no'. it is a powerful word on so many levels but such a boon to you as you learn to say no to things you don't want to do and learn not to allow others make you feel guilty for doing so. so many people - including myself - say yes to things they don't want to do just because it is expected of them or they don't want the other person(s) to think badly of them. self care is important and saying no is part of that. now, if it is something that is very important and/or necessary then you have to decide /weigh that value. but, i am talking about issues that aren't going to cause harm or problems that are irreparable. the other thing is saying 'i'm sorry' if you are wrong. it doesn't make you look weak but strong in your integrity and character. will you lose friends, make family angry? possibly. but that also is a boon to you as you will know who values you as much as you value yourself. doesn't make you a selfish a-hole.
Amanda Reicha 3 years ago
My favorite quote when it comes to making important decisions: "If you try, you might fail, But if you don't try, you'll never succeed." -Thomas A. Knight
Kim Kermes 3 years ago
The First Sergeant at advanced training ended his orientation talk yesterday telling us: "Be where you're supposed to be when you're supposed to be doing what you're supposed to be doing, and don't attract my attention, and you'll do well.
Gandalf the Pink 3 years ago (edited)
If you wanna improve your friendships, become a giftbringer. Give your friends small thoughtful things. Like if you and a friend plan to meet at a cafe, show up early and buy them a coffee before they get there. You can pick wildflowers and show up with a bouquet, that one is free. You can bake them something. You can ask to do their dishes when you're at their place. Just small gifts like that will go a long way and swing right back at you. Very cool friendships await.
SloeLoris 3 years ago
My lifehack: pick one thing and master it. Doesn't matter if it's rocket science or brain surgery or the D&D Monster Manual or growing rhubarb or knowing all the words to 'I Will Survive' in a dozen different languages. As long as it makes you genuinely feel like an expert on your topic. Not only will a sense of mastery give you *immensely* increased self-confidence, you'll be learning to learn and training your brain to be open to new knowledge.
Tracy Wallick 3 years ago
If you hand something to someone while they're talking, they'll take it without thinking.
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