Thread: Are we living in a simulation?

How can we eliminate the possibility that we are living in a reality simulation?



Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?

ABSTRACT. This paper argues that at least one of the following propositions is true: (1) the human species is very likely to go extinct before reaching a “posthuman” stage; (2) any posthuman civilization is extremely unlikely to run a significant number of simulations of their evolutionary history (or variations thereof); (3) we are almost certainly living in a computer simulation. It follows that the belief that there is a significant chance that we will one day become posthumans who run ancestor-simulations is false, unless we are currently living in a simulation. A number of other consequences of this result are also discussed.

Any exact description of a non-simulated physical object probably entails using an infinitely long string of symbols. Simulated reality would require finite algorithms though. Can the uncertainty principle be simulated?

Sure, anything can, in theory, be simulated.
Whether we are ourselves part of a simulation is highly debatable. Personally, I doubt it. The world we live in is too damn weird for any sane simulation!

You propose an interesting proposition freud, only, it is not the first time this abstract idea has been promulgated.
The thing that intrigues me in that scenario is are we dealing with a programmer, or a player?
Staying within the ABSTRACT scenario, problems arise driven by the individuals in the simulation to
aquire wisdom and knowledge of their situation, a foolish mistake for a programmer, and to the
detriment of the player.
The human race will go extinct because of lack of interest in tomorrow.
nokton.

Originally Posted by freudianmaster

How can we eliminate the possibility that we are living in a reality simulation?

Why would a reality simulation be necessary? Part of an investigation, entertainment?