The first 4 paragraphs really made me feel weird. I just can't explain it. Is this what is called existential crisis?
What are the odds we are living in a computer simulation? (2016)
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Re: What are the odds we are living in a computer simulation? (2016)
#12Maybe but if there's no way for information to move in and out, what does it matter? It just ends up being one more turtle on the bottom of the stack.
Unless it’s possible to attack the simulation from inside it and escape the sandbox. OTOH, every time an escape is detected and contained, the simulation can be reset to its last valid state and its inhabitants will never suspect the universe was reset.
“There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.”
-Douglas Adams
Re: What are the odds we are living in a computer simulation? (2016)
#13Maybe but if there's no way for information to move in and out, what does it matter? It just ends up being one more turtle on the bottom of the stack.
Unless it’s possible to attack the simulation from inside it and escape the sandbox. OTOH, every time an escape is detected and contained, the simulation can be reset to its last valid state and its inhabitants will never suspect the universe was reset.
There’s a series of Greg Egan stories (in the book instantiation) about preparing and viewing images designed to exploit the simulator graphics library (when viewed) as a way to transfer between simulations, that considers these problems
Re: What are the odds we are living in a computer simulation? (2016)
#14It's at least a 50% chance. The god-believing-people would probably say that we are for sure.
Re: What are the odds we are living in a computer simulation? (2016)
#150
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And now we have a dyad. Great job. Do you have any idea what just started?
Re: What are the odds we are living in a computer simulation? (2016)
#16I think, just as no system is fully self descriptive (there is always an axiom), and there is no fully self contained perpetual motion machine So it is reasonable to take the universe as not fully self descriptive or defining For instance can the universe create it's own arbitrary laws of physics and run molecules on that basis? No it doesn't And so essentially, a simulation, or God becomes required. And the one runn…
Phooey. Turtles then. Because that simulator runner would also have a simulator runner, and so on.
Let's leave the cultural baggage of self-existent platonic forms for ultimate power at the door, it's an ultimately overtrod path of philosophical inquiry.
If you constitutionally can't leave it at the door, read David Brin's crystal spheres (and enjoy!).
Re: What are the odds we are living in a computer simulation? (2016)
#17This is are a meaningless questions. One cannot calculate any such odds in principle. It is an application of a wrong concept.
The real answer is that in cannot be known, again, in principle.
The first such answer has been given by Upanishadic seers back then, based on the principle that intellect, conditioned by perceptions, cannot know. Observations of effects is not enough to know the causes and "mechanics".
The modern answer is that abstraction barriers are impenetrable (yes, in principle). There is absolutely no way to even guess an actual wiring of a processor from the level of code (separated by a few layers of abstraction barriers).
Re: What are the odds we are living in a computer simulation? (2016)
#18There's just too much pain (both physical and emotional) and too many diseases in the world. I refuse to believe that a higher entity (name it God or aliens) would create or simulate all those cruel things.
Isn't disease another lifeform trying to survive? Isn't God responsible for all life? Why do you think your life is most important in the eyes of God?
Re: What are the odds we are living in a computer simulation? (2016)
#19There's just too much pain (both physical and emotional) and too many diseases in the world. I refuse to believe that a higher entity (name it God or aliens) would create or simulate all those cruel things.
Have you ever watched anyone play RollerCoaster Tycoon?
Re: What are the odds we are living in a computer simulation? (2016)
#20There's just too much pain (both physical and emotional) and too many diseases in the world. I refuse to believe that a higher entity (name it God or aliens) would create or simulate all those cruel things.
Have you never played SimCity or Populous?