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Well, after starting at the posted article and going back several layers, it isn't really clear to me what sort of simulation is being discussed... only a "comp
by ensignavenger 10y ago
Well, after starting at the posted article and going back several layers, it isn't really clear to me what sort of simulation is being discussed... only a "computer" simulation. But what sort of computer? Plenty of room to speculate.
There was another aspect- the argument that we are in a simulation created by descendants of humanity to study their past- a purpose that would be hard to reconcile with most religious beliefs about the purpose of life.
I was primarily replying to the idea of this life being a simulation, not so much the purpose of that simulation, though.
- mannykannot 10y agoI am referring to 'simulation' as used in the posted article. As for types of computer, there is fundamentally only one - Turing-equivalent machines (there is some speculation that quantum computing might have additional capabilities, but that is highly speculative, in a 'the mind is mysterious, quantum mechanics is weird, so the mind must be using as-yet unelucidated quantum phenomena' sort of way.) All this and more is discussed in this blog [1]. The word 'simulation' may have several meanings. We should beware of tacitly assuming that a metaphorical or analogical use establishes an actual correspondence. [1] http://www.scottaaronson.com/blog/?p=3208 http://www.scottaaronson.com/blog/?p=3208