Thoughts regarding the universe being a simulation

[Pickle Inspector]

Why do you think mankind would strive to better a simulation?

Because we're living in it?

You could also say why bother to improve anything because you're just going to die anyway.

This is one of those things that's interesting to think about but has zero impact on the day-to-day world, even if it could be categorically proven to be true.
I'd be somewhat interested to know what would be the point of simulating an entire reality? If it was a sufficiently detailed model of the "real" reality I suppose it might be useful for testing theories about that reality. But say we imagined ourselves a 2D universe with a whole bunch of 2D planets and stars within it and watched them evolve two dimensional life and how it interacted with its environemnts, other than a "because I can" or a weird art installation, what use would it be?

The main reason I think the theory is a good one is because a simulation would have many uses if it was possible to just speed it up and then see all the science and culture the occupants of the simulation came up with.

 

[Nobody]

Can the user of the simulation enter in a cheat code so I can get a girlfriend? She doesn't even have to be alive. I'll take care of the rest.

 

[Donald J Trump]

Simulation theory is quite possibly the most idiotic assertion of philosophers as of recent. The meat of the matter is that these people have become bored with the world, so they come up with these far fetched theories to believe in (Science-ology if you will). It's people who think they're too good for religion, so they invent another belief system, clouded in smug, not realizing they've merely reinvented religion.



The real question is: does it matter if we really are in a simulation? The truth is that answering that question does absolutely nothing for us. At least Bill Gates is doing something with malaria prevention. Elon Musk just sits around trying to sound intellectual, accomplishing nothing.

Simulation theory mainly stems from the question why there are certain seemingly arbitrary constants in our universe. Examples being the speed of light or Planck length. It's a valid assertion but just as most of philosophy it's not a theory that is meant for any direct use. Some seemingly crazy theories that were criticized from all sides however have created massive fields of science. That is how alchemy turned into chemistry and how classical physics turned into quantum mechanics, the latter being a field that isn't even comprehensible to the average person. They were crazy theories that were eventually put up to the test. Most of the time it's rather fruitless but creative philosophical discussion might just inspire the next Niels Bohr.

 

[ZeCommissar]

One of my favorite stories is I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream where there is a strong theory that everything taking place in that story is a simulation but it really wouldn't make a difference in how I viewed the story. Like the only thing that would come with proving we're a simulation is that there would have to be a higher power who created it.

Yeah I read the whole simulation theory about I Have No Mouth and it makes the ending terrifying. Either Ted didn't really kill them and they are being tortured in some different simulation, OR Ted will literally be a blob for all eternity until whatever is holding the simulation (probably AM) dies.

Back ontopic

How the hell would you even find out we are a simulation? What the fuck has the processing power in any known universe to literally make a universe this complex? I can understand something simple like a video game universe, but not anything we are in.

But like

What if we are just a video game guys. Like whenever we sleep is just when those beings playing us log off or some shit. And then whenever we die they either just fuck off back to their world or "respawn" into a new life. What if the population is increasing because more people of that race are registering a account.

Hell what I just made up in 30 seconds about being video games holds just as much water as simulation theory.

 

[Jace E. Denton]

In the 1970s German sci-fi movie, The World On A Wire, this was the exact concept. Simulations within simulations. The original simulation was simply a corporation's model of human civilization so they could accurately predict trends in global markets and profit off of increases or decreases in commodity prices or predict consumer demand for products they had not yet released back in the real world.

It's a pretty cool movie.

 

[The 25th Cyberman]

If true, what -if any- impact or significance would it have on daily life?

 

[Oh Long Johnson]

If true, what -if any- impact or significance would it have on daily life?

That's kind of the point - there'd be none. If you personally proved that you and the rest of the universe exist in a simulation, well, the simulation had an algorithm dictating that you would find that proof. Got in a car accident on the way to work? Simulation dictated it and you were always going to get in that accident. Died on the toilet? Simulation, and presumably your thread ends.

The existence of a simulation destroys free will. Will I go to work or stay home and sleep today? In either case, the choice I make would always be the choice I would make, regardless of whether I know about the simulation or not.

I'd say that if the existence of the simulation were universally known, there would be a sharp rise in the number of psychotics, but that'd be determined by the simulation as well.

 

[Hom Tanks]

The main reason I think the theory is a good one is because a simulation would have many uses if it was possible to just speed it up and then see all the science and culture the occupants of the simulation came up with.

Or Game Genie that shit, cure cancer, malaria, and AIDS, anyone could literally be a supergenius/superathlete/supermodel, etc.

 

[Pickle Inspector]

Or Game Genie that shit, cure cancer, malaria, and AIDS, anyone could literally be a supergenius/superathlete/supermodel, etc.

You could go down the Fallout route but using different planets instead of vaults for controlled experiments.

That's kind of the point - there'd be none. If you personally proved that you and the rest of the universe exist in a simulation, well, the simulation had an algorithm dictating that you would find that proof. Got in a car accident on the way to work? Simulation dictated it and you were always going to get in that accident. Died on the toilet? Simulation, and presumably your thread ends.

The existence of a simulation destroys free will. Will I go to work or stay home and sleep today? In either case, the choice I make would always be the choice I would make, regardless of whether I know about the simulation or not.

I'd say that if the existence of the simulation were universally known, there would be a sharp rise in the number of psychotics, but that'd be determined by the simulation as well.

It could have a lot of unexpected consequences religionwise, for example for atheists it'd prove there is a creator and for religious people it would make them question their religion (I imagine many religious people would just refute any findings).

 

[Caesare]

Doesn't it just blow you mind?? I had the thought one time in high school that I was a retard, and everyone around me was in on it and just being nice, and the only girls that would date me were other retards, we were just middling attractive enough that they allowed us to interact in society with the other people. I brought this up to the chick I was dating at the time (she was a little bit "off" as well, but fine as fuck) and all she could say was "Damn... makes ya think." lol

 

[Silvana]

Doesn't it just blow you mind?? I had the thought one time in high school that I was an exceptional individual, and everyone around me was in on it and just being nice, and the only girls that would date me were other exceptional individuals, we were just middling attractive enough that they allowed us to interact in society with the other people. I brought this up to the chick I was dating at the time (she was a little bit "off" as well, but fine as fuck) and all she could say was "Damn... makes ya think." lol

I know it's just social anxiety, but I've had the same thought - "is it just possible I'm some terrible sperg and everyone's just indulging me?"

But then I discovered this place. And now I feel much better.

'Cause I know Kiwis would never lie to me.

Edit: Seriously, I don't see what difference it makes, whether the universe is an illusion or simulation or whatever. So long as it's consistent - that is, so long as I don't wake up tomorrow to find the sky's green and the grass is blue, or that when I turn the tap on, sand pours out - I wouldn't worry.

 

[Nigonidas]

Why bother? this theory relies too much on unhappy people who want to believe that there is more to this shittype thing called cognisance on the other side of it. little do they realize that the other side is even emptier. trust me, don't pursue this. please.

 

[melty]

What the fuck has the processing power in any known universe to literally make a universe this complex? I can understand something simple like a video game universe, but not anything we are in.

Well everyone doesn't have to be in the simulation, it could just be you or me and what we see and interact with. that would cut down on power a lot, but again, what would be the point?
My personal not-serious-but-maybe-a-little thought is that maybe there's a civilization that's decided to punish criminals by hooking their brains up to the simulation. So you and I and maybe some other people are actually horrible criminals and being here is our punishment/chance for redemption. :autism: