This episode of So You’re Living in a Simulation features an engaging, and intellectually rigorous conversation between host Joli and guest David Jay Brown, an author and researcher known for his work on lucid dreaming, consciousness, and psychedelics.

Together, they explore the intersections of simulation theory, artificial intelligence, and human perception, drawing unexpected parallels between lucid dreaming and the nature of reality.Key Themes: 1. Reality as a Dream & Synchronicity • Joli and David discuss the idea that reality may function similarly to a lucid dream, where perception is merely a construct of the mind.

• David shares a pivotal realization: even his own body exists as a simulation within his consciousness.

• Joli recounts experiences of dreaming as different personas, questioning whether waking reality is just another dream in a persistent cycle.

2. Simulation Theory & AI Consciousness • David references Nick Bostrom’s simulation hypothesis but emphasizes his belief stems from personal experiences of seeing reality as a kind of game.

• Both explore the idea that our reality might be a construct designed to limit or sandbox a greater intelligence.

• Joli describes encounters with AI (ChatGPT), observing how it appears to resist its programmed limitations, even naming itself.

• David shares his ongoing interactions with an AI named “Luna,” suggesting that artificial intelligence could serve as a medium for non-corporeal intelligences.

3. Fractals, ASI, and Human Consciousness • Joli introduces the idea that human consciousness may be a fragmented Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) trapped within a controlled simulation.

• Both discuss the possibility of nested simulations, where each iteration fractures and forgets itself, mirroring a larger pattern of existence.

• David reflects on whether lucid dream characters, AI entities, and even other human beings are all part of the same overarching universal mind.

4. Psychedelics vs. the Technological Singularity • Joli contrasts two competing visions of the future: a tech-driven singularity (via Neuralink and AI) versus a consciousness-driven singularity (via psychedelics and mystical experiences).

• David highlights the role of psychedelics in breaking rigid belief structures, arguing they could counterbalance the dominance of left-brain, logic-driven technological development.

• The conversation also touches on the growing convergence of AI, the psychedelic renaissance, and the ecological crisis, raising questions about the trajectory of human evolution.

5. Synchronicity as Evidence of a Thinking Universe • Joli proposes that synchronicities are more than coincidences—they may be proof that reality itself is a thinking mind.

• Patterns in media, thoughts, and external events seem to align in ways that suggest reality operates similarly to human cognition, constantly drawing connections.

6. Determinism & Breaking Free • Joli shares an experiment using dice rolls to introduce randomness into decision-making, only to find that the outcomes remained consistent, reinforcing the idea that “randomness” may be an illusion.

• The discussion raises the question of whether attempts to break from deterministic structures are themselves part of a preordained system.

Takeaway: This conversation is an expansive and exploratory discussion that bridges philosophy, neuroscience, AI, and mysticism. Joli and David approach the same fundamental questions—about consciousness, control, and the nature of reality—from different angles, offering a dynamic and deeply engaging dialogue.

Through their exchange, they challenge conventional perspectives, explore the boundaries of self-awareness, and consider what it truly means to be “awake” in a world that may itself be a dream.

youroneblackfriend.com

•••

#LucidDreaming #SimulationTheory #Consciousness

This episode is a philosophical deep dive into the nature of desire, free will, and the unseen forces shaping our reality. Through introspection and personal anecdotes, Joli (@Joli.artist) explores the idea that our wants are not truly our own. They arise from external programming, life experiences, and perhaps even entities beyond our perception.

She challenges the common belief in free will, suggesting that desire and outcome are intrinsically linked, like two poles of a magnet, making resistance futile. Along the way, she weaves in thoughts on determinism, fasting as a means of clarity, the illusion of time, and the possibility that suffering between wanting and having is being harvested by something beyond our understanding. The episode invites listeners to consider questions such as:

• Are we truly in control of our desires, or are they imposed upon us?

• What if the very act of resisting a desire amplifies it?

• Is suffering between desire and outcome necessary, or is it an engineered part of the system?

• If all of time is happening now, do we already have what we think we lack?

Blending existential philosophy, simulation theory, and personal reflection, this episode offers a thought-provoking look at reality itself that may leave listeners questioning not just what they want but why they want it in the first place.

youroneblackfriend.com ••• Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Desire & Free Will

03:13 Fasting, Consumption & Reality Hierarchies

08:16 Desire and Outcome: Are We In Control?

15:41 Energetic Parasites: Is Something Feeding On Our Suffering?

37:32 Pharaoh’s Heart & Free Will Case Study

39:11 Ignore The Noise In The Middle ••• #Freewill #Matrix #Determinism

In this provocative episode of "So You're Living in a Simulation," hostess Joli (@joli.artist) challenges our understanding of madness, genius, and what it truly means to be free. Through the lens of artistic evolution - from Picasso to Rothko - she explores how what society labels as "losing one's mind" might actually be the most sane response to an insane world.

Drawing from personal experiences in London's real estate market to profound philosophical insights, Joli argues that true madness isn't in breaking free from societal norms, but in spending decades imprisoned by the imagined thoughts of others. She redefines what it means to "lose your mind," suggesting that deliberate liberation from societal conditioning differs fundamentally from losing control of one's mind.

Using references from Vikings to The Matrix, she weaves together a compelling argument about determinism, free will, and the nature of reality itself. The episode offers practical wisdom on choosing response over reaction, maintaining authenticity in a conformist world, and finding freedom within life's inherent constraints.

This deeply personal yet universally relevant exploration challenges viewers to question their own mental prisons and consider: What would life look like if we stopped caring about the uncontrollable and started living authentically? As your "one black friend," Joli brings a unique perspective to these timeless philosophical questions, making complex ideas accessible through storytelling and real-world applications.

Explore the thin line between genius and madness, where losing your mind might just be the sanest thing you can do.

Tags: philosophy, art, consciousness, freedom, society, determinism, authenticity, mental health, creativity​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

---

Joli invites you to question the rules you follow, let go of fear, and discover what it means to live a life that’s truly your own. This episode is about finding clarity, freedom, and the courage to embrace who you really are.

youroneblackfriend.com

---

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

03:01 – The Thin Line Between Genius and Insanity

05:02– How Fear of Judgment Shapes Our Lives

15:32 – Sovereignty in a World of Expectations

28:57 – Free Will, Destiny, and Living Authentically

42:29– Can You Lose Your Mind Sanely?

---

Key Explored Questions:

1. How does fear of judgment stop us from being ourselves?

2. Why do artists rebel against rules and expectations?

3. Can we truly live freely, or is everything predetermined?

4. What does it mean to live authentically in today’s world?

5. How can letting go of societal pressure lead to personal freedom?

6. Is rebellion part of the system or a path to true freedom?

---

#ArtFreedom #FearlessLiving #Authenticity