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Yes, although there are more esoteric alternatives to the Great Filter. For example, the idea that our universe is a simulation and the number of sapient speci

by causi 5y ago

Yes, although there are more esoteric alternatives to the Great Filter. For example, the idea that our universe is a simulation and the number of sapient species is deliberately limited by the controllers to few or perhaps just us.

WalterBright 5y ago
The simulation idea has an awful lot in common with religions. It has the same problems: 1. it offers no testable predictions 2. it explains everything, yet explains nothing
- simonh 5y ago
  They also both posit the existence of a supreme being. Either an all powerful god, or an all powerful sysadmin. I’d go further and say they require such a being, despite us having reason to believe such a being is not compatible with our understanding of how the universe actually works. Just as the existence of an all powerful eternal being doesn’t seem compatible with what we know about what’s possible in the universe, I have severe doubts that a simulation of the fidelity we observe in our existence is practical to build in our universe.
  - causi 5y ago
    I have severe doubts that a simulation of the fidelity we observe in our existence is practical to build in our universe. It certainly isn't. You can't simulate three atoms using two atoms. There's no reason another universe has to abide by the same rules as ours, though. It's not something anybody should actually worry about but it's about as scientific an idea as string theory is.
    - simonh 5y ago
      >it's about as scientific an idea as string theory is... That's not necessarily a ringing endorsement ;) At least string theory has lead to some very powerful and productive mathematical techniques, if little in the way of actual physics. If we can invoke other universes, then we're kissing Occam's razor goodbye and we're in magical fairy land territory.
- VaxWithSex 5y ago
  Maybe it does explain something. https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/2012-02-29 https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/2012-02-29

by causi 5y ago

WalterBright 5y ago

The simulation idea has an awful lot in common with religions. It has the same problems: 1. it offers no testable predictions 2. it explains everything, yet explains nothing

simonh 5y ago
They also both posit the existence of a supreme being. Either an all powerful god, or an all powerful sysadmin. I’d go further and say they require such a being, despite us having reason to believe such a being is not compatible with our understanding of how the universe actually works. Just as the existence of an all powerful eternal being doesn’t seem compatible with what we know about what’s possible in the universe, I have severe doubts that a simulation of the fidelity we observe in our existence is practical to build in our universe.
- causi 5y ago
  I have severe doubts that a simulation of the fidelity we observe in our existence is practical to build in our universe. It certainly isn't. You can't simulate three atoms using two atoms. There's no reason another universe has to abide by the same rules as ours, though. It's not something anybody should actually worry about but it's about as scientific an idea as string theory is.
  - simonh 5y ago
    >it's about as scientific an idea as string theory is... That's not necessarily a ringing endorsement ;) At least string theory has lead to some very powerful and productive mathematical techniques, if little in the way of actual physics. If we can invoke other universes, then we're kissing Occam's razor goodbye and we're in magical fairy land territory.
VaxWithSex 5y ago
Maybe it does explain something. https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/2012-02-29 https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/2012-02-29