4 ms·

Simulation or not, the difference might not matter to us anyways. We can observe the laws of physics as it applies to the universe, but why they are there is f

Simulation or not, the difference might not matter to us anyways. We can observe the laws of physics as it applies to the universe, but why they are there is far less clear, something we may never know.

andrewflnr 4y ago
That's exactly why we're tired of simulationism. Short of the simulation runners talking to us, it's impossible in principle to take the least step toward figuring out if it's true or false.
- lamontcg 4y ago
  It also encourages sloppy and superstitious thinking where coincidences become proof that it's The Matrix. People just can't let go of wanting some kind of God and for the random nonsense in the Universe to make sense.
  - MichaelZuo 4y ago
    Exactly, it just leads to infinite regress, as every layer can also be contained within another layer as simulation, so it's uninteresting.
    - edgyquant 4y ago
      What you’re describing is the actual reason for Occam’s razor.
      - b800h 4y ago
        It's also part of a decent proof for the existence of God, specifically an extension of the Kalām Cosmological Argument.
  - Aperocky 4y ago
    > People just can't let go of wanting some kind of God The reverse is also true. While the inability to determine why the laws of physics are there is not evident that there must be some reason that they are there, one can conjecture a causal relation with some kind of entity that affected it. Either that be God, or the playful intern that happened to create UniverseSandbox#9971
- pixl97 4y ago
  I mean not exactly... It depends on the type of simulation we could be in. If we're in the type that is monitored and if we could find a way to mess with the simulation that we'd just be rolled back to a previous state, then yes, it's impossible. If instead it's watched about as well as some of us monitor our own VMs, well, maybe a different story. Of course we're still a long way from many things in physics like a theory of everything, so no need to worry about being in a simulation at this time.

andrewflnr 4y ago

That's exactly why we're tired of simulationism. Short of the simulation runners talking to us, it's impossible in principle to take the least step toward figuring out if it's true or false.

lamontcg 4y ago
It also encourages sloppy and superstitious thinking where coincidences become proof that it's The Matrix. People just can't let go of wanting some kind of God and for the random nonsense in the Universe to make sense.
- MichaelZuo 4y ago
  Exactly, it just leads to infinite regress, as every layer can also be contained within another layer as simulation, so it's uninteresting.
  - edgyquant 4y ago
    What you’re describing is the actual reason for Occam’s razor.
    - b800h 4y ago
      It's also part of a decent proof for the existence of God, specifically an extension of the Kalām Cosmological Argument.
- Aperocky 4y ago
  > People just can't let go of wanting some kind of God The reverse is also true. While the inability to determine why the laws of physics are there is not evident that there must be some reason that they are there, one can conjecture a causal relation with some kind of entity that affected it. Either that be God, or the playful intern that happened to create UniverseSandbox#9971
pixl97 4y ago
I mean not exactly... It depends on the type of simulation we could be in. If we're in the type that is monitored and if we could find a way to mess with the simulation that we'd just be rolled back to a previous state, then yes, it's impossible. If instead it's watched about as well as some of us monitor our own VMs, well, maybe a different story. Of course we're still a long way from many things in physics like a theory of everything, so no need to worry about being in a simulation at this time.