Questions on Cartesian Skepticism

1. Should we take seriously the hypothesis that we might be in the Matrix (of the Keanu Reeves film?) Why or why not? Would finding out that you were in the Matrix change the way that you live your life?

2. Suppose there was a machine that could make you feel as if you were having excellent adventures - like the machine in Total Recall. Would you plug yourself into this machine and stay there? Why or why not? Do you think that there is any value at all in being 'in touch' with Reality?