Science Do we live inside a computer simulation?

[Urwumpe]

An interesting question. Do you happen to know a decent cosmology book with "answers"?

I only know those with questions. But the questions have become better over time.

 

[jedidia]

Video games.

Huge infrastructure for a video game. If it where for entertainement purposes, I would be paying money to be in it, and I would know that I'm in. Because I'd get my monthly bill.

Studying alternate histories of the universe.

That's not alternate history of the universe, that's an alternate universe alltogether. I don't know what the gains could be to justify the effort.

Checking out what conditions life can evolve in.

Again, completely without any practicle purpose if the universe is totally different. The beings doing that could not even life in a universe like ours, so what could they get from researching a hypothetical one? in other words, who pays the bill for the project?

Explaining students why even small perturbations in the laws of physics can cause big changes.

again, This is a bit too big for a students project.

Creating new forms of life.

So you mean they're planning to actually CREATE a parallel universe? well, if they can do that, they certainly won't have any trouble simulating one first, I guess, but it might be easier for them to just create a few and see what happens. But these are gods we're talking about by now. or... Q!

Yeah, this is just a simulation for Qs ammusement. That would kind of fit the bill, I guess...

 

[Quick_Nick]

Yeah, I know. It's the same thing I wrote before. But this is a discussion, where we just assume that something is possible, and then discuss it's consequences. It's just wild speculation, but it's quite interesting. (at least for me, I just want to hear your ideas about that)

And, about the computer power issue, I've got another theory (yes, another wild speculation!:speakcool The laws of physics in the simulated universe (our universe) can be different from those in the "real" universe. So what if they allow computers WAAAYYYY more powerful than those that can exist in our world?

Just my crazy ideas...

If you mean that simulations within simulations would slow things down, I believe you're wrong. The simulation is just simulating every quantum bit in the sim-universe. A computer is still physical, taking up space that was already there and requiring no additional 'information'. (unless it just sprang into existence)
Which gives me an idea: You can't simulate a universe of equal or larger size of your own. If you had the information of the entire simulated copy of your universe, this has to take up at LEAST your own entire universe. There's just too much information, and information takes up 'space'. The smallest you could possibly make the simulation is to truly replicate quantum bits WITH quantum bits, basically just having the sim universe be an ACTUAL world within your own. If you're using a computer, you're taking up a hell of a lot more space than even that.
Am I right? (assuming that the sim's physics work exactly the same as the real world's)

 

[statickid]

"Perhaps the "simulation" is not a computer at all but our entire universe as a physical entity. If this were the case it is possible that it is impossible to turn it off."

This is what I was talking about in a different way as you, Quick_Nick. I feel that if our universe were an experiment it wouldn't be contained in simulation, it would be somehow more practical to actually CREATE an entire parallel universe than simulate one IMO.

 

[eveningsky339]

The idea that we are someone else's pet project has always intrigued me. Is it possible that we are living in a computer simulation? Yes. The universe could be a high school kid's biology project for all we know.

 

[Ghostrider]

And that's why we feel blocky sometimes...

http://www.zzap64.co.uk/zzap7/lcp.html

 

[statickid]

That would explain the shoddy nature of things. We are a B- Universe. In the A+ universe most planets have life, stars never burn out, and the sentient beings are immortal.

---------- Post added at 06:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:33 AM ----------

Also the universe will not collapse on itself.

 

[jedidia]

Also the universe will not collapse on itself.

It actually looks like ours won't either...

 

[statickid]

still a b- in the other one everybody looks like supermodels

 

[jedidia]

everybody looks like supermodels

I prefer women that look healthy :lol:

 

[statickid]

true dat

 

[Ghostrider]

Second that. Women have curves.

 

[Quick_Nick]

A simulation seems useless except for simulating the first moments of its existence. After that, the information takes up too much space. (plus it will go at real time or slower which is impractical and always puts you billions of years in the past)

 

[Endeavor]

 

[REFSMMAT]

If God is a omnipotent, omniscient creature which can change the laws of physics at will, could He be a programmer like Martin?

No way. Because I think if a god exists he is a beautiful she with beautiful long hair and legs, not interested in programming

 

[Urwumpe]

No way. Because I think if a god exists he is a beautiful she with beautiful long hair and legs, not interested in programming

You have low standards on your Goddess. If she is beautiful, with beautiful long hair and legs, AND interesting in programming (in a serious programming language), and inviting you to watch Life on Mars with her.... you will believe.

 

[REFSMMAT]

You have low standards on your Goddess. If she is beautiful, with beautiful long hair and legs, AND interesting in programming (in a serious programming language), and inviting you to watch Life on Mars with her.... you will believe.

Okay. I have to admit that my standards probably were driven by too much testosterone:lol: Maybe she is interested in programming or amused by our effective simplicity like she might call it.

Which programming language do you consider important by the way?

 

[Ghostrider]

I'm injecting some new energy on the necropost and see if it's runnable again. People with an interest in this theme can get "Welt am Draht" on DVD. It's a 1973 miniseries in 2 episodes directed by Rainer W. Fassbinder and based on the Daniel F. Galouye novel Simulacron-3. I think it's the earliest metaworld-related audiovisual ever, and if the themes are familiar it's because The Thirteenth Floor is based on the same novel.

 

[Artlav]

You can also try Stanislav Lem's novel The Futurological Congress
It contains some "related" ideas that remind of the Matrix movie.

His Star Diaries, albeit satirical, also contain a description of a virtual world inside a computer.

 

[Mister Mxyzptlk]

Down through history as technology changed people drew analogies between reality and the present technology. When technology was hunter gatherer god/goddess was a hunter or a gatherer. When technology embraced warfare god was a warrior. When clocks were invented the universe became a giant clockwork. Now that we are in the information age of computers and software the cosmos is a software program. It isn't. As we learn and grow as a species each iteration of our perception of reality moves infinitesimally closer to ultimate truth. But........ reality as a computer simulation is only another model of an experience that according to the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum physics, can't be modeled. Reality as a computer simulation will be looked upon in the future as we look upon the idea of reality as a giant clock, antiquated and primative in it's conception. Any idea that we have figured it out this early in our existance in the cosmos is a prime example of the hubris of our species.