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So what's the difference between specifying a universe-simulating algorithm, and specifying its initial conditions, versus actually running it? Since the entire

by _greim_ 13y ago

So what's the difference between specifying a universe-simulating algorithm, and specifying its initial conditions, versus actually running it? Since the entire history is somehow implied in that specification, don't all those people in some sense exist?

nitrogen 13y ago
It's an interesting philosophical question. I would prefer to define existence as beginning when the computation of those particular molecules first occurs.
- TeMPOraL 13y ago
  > I would prefer to define existence as beginning when the computation of those particular molecules first occurs. The structure of this argument somehow reminds me of abortion-related topics... Anyway, there's a nice article touching this issue: http://lesswrong.com/lw/uk/beyond_the_reach_of_god/ http://lesswrong.com/lw/uk/beyond_the_reach_of_god/.